Paper property detection device, image forming device, paper property detection method, and control program

Abstract

To perform detection of a sheet physical property with high accuracy, and to suppress deterioration in productivity.SOLUTION: A sheet physical property detection device 20 includes: a first detection part 51 for measuring a sheet which is temporarily stopped in a conveyance passage 241 to acquire a first value corresponding to a first physical property; a second detection part 52 for performing measurement while conveying the sheet in the conveyance passage 241 to acquire a second value corresponding to a second physical property regarding a different physical property from the first physical property; and a correction part 211 for correcting the first value based on the second value to generate post-correction data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper physical property detection device, an image forming apparatus, a paper physical property detection method, and a control program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, image forming devices such as electrophotographic printers have become widely used in the color printing industry. In the production printing (PP) field, which corresponds to the color printing industry, there is a demand for compatibility with a wider variety of paper types than those used in offices. To achieve high-quality printing on this variety of paper types, there are image forming devices that allow you to set multiple properties of the paper stored in the paper feed tray and print under image formation conditions that correspond to the properties you set.

[0003] To accommodate these diverse paper settings, some image forming devices are equipped with sensors that automatically detect the characteristics of the paper used for printing. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming device that transfers a toner image to paper using a transfer roller, and controls the separation bias current to a separation bias application device (40) downstream of the transfer roller in accordance with the stiffness measured by a stiffness detection device (30) included in the image forming device. This stiffness detection device (30) measures stiffness by temporarily stopping the paper upstream of the registration roller (26) and measuring the amount of slack in the slackened paper. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-069456 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, even when using the same type of paper, the physical properties of the paper, such as the stiffness of the paper, may differ. For example, even in a stack of paper stored in a single paper feed cassette, the physical properties of each sheet may differ between the top sheet of the stack and the other sheets in the middle of the stack, depending on the state of the stack. For this reason, it is preferable to detect the physical properties of each sheet of paper. However, if all the sheets are temporarily stopped to detect the physical properties of the paper, the paper transport will be delayed, significantly reducing productivity related to paper transport.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a paper physical property detection device that detects paper physical properties with high accuracy and prevents a decrease in productivity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following means.

[0008] (1) a conveying path for conveying paper fed from a paper feed tray; a first detection unit that measures the paper that has been temporarily stopped in the conveyance path and acquires a first value corresponding to a first physical property; a second detection unit that measures the paper while conveying the paper in the conveyance path and acquires a second value corresponding to a second physical property that is different from the first physical property; a correction unit that corrects the first value based on the second value and generates corrected data.

[0009] (2) A paper physical property detection device as described in (1) above, wherein the second detection unit acquires the second value for the paused paper and one or more subsequent papers, and the correction unit generates the corrected data for each of the subsequent papers based on the second value for each of the subsequent papers.

[0010] (3) further comprising an output unit that outputs the corrected data; For an n-th sheet (n is a positive integer) fed from the paper feed tray, the sheet is temporarily stopped in the conveyance path, and the first and second physical property values ​​are acquired by the first and second detection units; For the n+x-th sheet (x is a positive integer), the second value corresponding to the second physical property is acquired by the second detection unit without temporarily stopping the paper; the correction unit corrects the first value of the n-th sheet based on the second value of the n+x-th sheet (x is a positive integer) to generate corrected data; The paper physical property detection device according to (2) above, wherein the output unit outputs the corrected data as the first value for the (n+x)th sheet of paper.

[0011] (4) an image forming unit that forms an image on paper based on a print job is provided downstream of the conveyance path; the output unit outputs the corrected data corrected by the correction unit as a first value for the (n+x)th sheet of paper to be used for setting a control parameter of the image forming unit. The paper physical property detection device according to (3) above.

[0012] (5) A paper physical property detection device as described in (3) or (4) above, wherein the output unit further outputs the second physical property value of the n+xth sheet of paper acquired by the second detection unit.

[0013] (6) A paper property detection device according to any one of (3) to (5) above, wherein the nth sheet of paper is a sheet of paper for detecting paper properties that is transported immediately before the start of a print job, or the first sheet of paper used in a print job.

[0014] (7) The paper feed tray is plural, A paper property detection device described in any of (3) to (6) above, wherein the nth sheet of paper is the first sheet to be fed from the switched paper feed tray when the paper feed tray to be used is switched during a print job.

[0015] (8) The paper physical property detection device according to any one of (1) to (7) above, wherein the first value is a value relating to the stiffness and / or electrical resistance of the paper, which is the first physical property.

[0016] (9) The paper physical property detection device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the second value is a value relating to the moisture content of the paper, which is the second physical property.

[0017] (10) The paper physical property detection device according to (9), wherein the second detection unit includes an optical sensor, and the optical sensor acquires a physical property value relating to the moisture content of the paper.

[0018] (11) A paper property detection device described in any one of (1) to (10) above, wherein the correction unit generates the corrected data based on a correction table or a relational equation that indicates the correspondence between the first value and the second value stored in a memory unit.

[0019] (12) A paper physical property detection device according to any one of (1) to (11) above, wherein the second value includes a value corresponding to at least one of the second physical properties, namely, the basis weight of the paper, the thickness of the paper, and the surface properties of the paper detected by an optical sensor.

[0020] (13) an image forming unit disposed downstream of the conveying path and configured to form an image on the conveyed paper; A paper physical property detection device according to any one of (1) to (12), The image forming unit forms images on n+x sheets of paper according to image forming conditions set based on the corrected data output by the output unit of the paper physical property detection device as the first value for the n+xth sheet of paper (n and x are positive integers).

[0021] (14) A paper physical property detection method executed by a paper physical property detection device including: a transport path for transporting paper fed from a paper feed tray; a first detection unit for measuring paper stopped in the transport path to obtain a first value corresponding to a first physical property; and a second detection unit for measuring the paper while transporting it in the transport path to obtain a second value corresponding to a second physical property related to a physical property different from the first physical property, a step (a) of acquiring the second value by the second detection unit for the paper conveyed on the conveyance path; and (b) correcting the first value based on the second value to generate corrected data.

[0022] (15) In the step (a), the second detection unit acquires the second value for the temporarily stopped sheet and one or more subsequent sheets; The paper physical property detection method according to (14) above, wherein in the step (b), the corrected data is generated for each of the subsequent sheets of paper based on the second value for each of the subsequent sheets of paper.

[0023] (16) A step (c) is included in which, for an nth sheet (n is a positive integer) fed from the paper feed tray, the paper is temporarily stopped and a first value corresponding to a first physical property is acquired by the first detection unit, and a second value corresponding to a second physical property is acquired by the second detection unit while the paper is being conveyed, Step (c) is performed before step (a); In the step (a), a second value is acquired by the second detection unit for the n+xth sheet (x is a positive integer) fed from the sheet feed tray without causing the sheet to be temporarily stopped in the conveyance path; In the step (b), the first value of the n-th sheet acquired in the step (c) is corrected based on the second value acquired in the step (a) to generate corrected data; The paper physical property detection method described in (15) above further includes a step (d) of outputting the corrected data obtained in step (b) as the first value for the n+xth sheet of paper.

[0024] (17) An image forming unit that forms an image on paper based on a print job is provided downstream of the conveyance path, In step (d), the corrected data corrected in step (b) is output as the first value for the (n+x)th sheet of paper to be used for setting the control parameters of the image forming unit.

[0025] (18) In the paper physical property detection method described in (16) or (17) above, in step (d), the second value of the (n+x)th sheet of paper obtained in step (b) is further output.

[0026] (19) A paper property detection method according to any one of (16) to (18) above, wherein the nth sheet of paper is a sheet of paper for detecting paper properties that is transported immediately before the start of a print job, or the first sheet of paper used in a print job.

[0027] (20) The paper feed tray is plural, A paper property detection method described in any one of (16) to (19) above, wherein the nth sheet of paper is the first sheet of paper to be fed from the switched paper feed tray when the paper feed tray to be used is switched during a print job.

[0028] (21) A paper physical property detection method according to any one of (14) to (20) above, wherein the first value is a value relating to the stiffness and / or electrical resistance of the paper, which is the first physical property.

[0029] (22) The paper physical property detection method according to any one of (14) to (21) above, wherein the second value is a value relating to the moisture content of the paper, which is the second physical property.

[0030] (23) A paper physical property detection method described in any one of (14) to (22) above, wherein in step (b), the corrected data is generated based on a correction table or a relational equation that indicates the correspondence between the first value and the second value stored in a memory unit.

[0031] (24) A control program for causing a computer that controls a paper physical property detection device to execute the paper physical property detection method according to any one of (14) to (23) above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0032] A paper physical property detection device according to the present invention includes a transport path for transporting paper fed from a paper feed tray, a first detection unit that measures paper paused in the transport path to obtain a first value corresponding to a first physical property, a second detection unit that measures the paper while transporting it in the transport path to obtain a second value corresponding to a second physical property related to a physical property different from the first physical property, and a correction unit that corrects the first value based on the second value to generate corrected data. This makes it possible to detect paper physical properties with high accuracy and prevent a decrease in productivity. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus including a paper physical property detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a stiffness detection unit included in the physical property detection unit (first detection unit). FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a paper resistance detection unit included in the physical property detection unit (first detection unit). FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a moisture percentage detection unit included in the property detection unit (second detection unit). [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the flow of signals between each detection unit and a control unit. [Figure 7]10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating changes in moisture content and stiffness due to differences in the position of a stack of sheets in a paper feed tray in an HH environment. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating changes in moisture content and paper resistance due to differences in the position of a stack of sheets in a paper feed tray in an HH environment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a paper physical property detection process. [Figure 10] 10 is a subroutine flowchart showing the processing of step S16. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a selected correction table and changes in first and second physical property values. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram for explaining a correction table selected for a different paper sheet (basis weight) and changes in the first and second physical property values. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a diagram illustrating a correction table when the first physical property is paper resistance, and a diagram illustrating changes in the first and second physical property values. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a diagram for explaining a correction table selected for a different paper sheet (basis weight) and changes in the first and second physical property values. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a subroutine flowchart showing the processing of step S16 in the first modified example. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining relational expressions and changes in first and second physical property values ​​in a first modified example. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of another relational expression in the second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that identical elements in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. The dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of convenience and may differ from the actual proportions. In the drawings, the vertical direction is designated as the Z direction, the front and rear directions of the image forming apparatus are designated as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to these X and Z directions is designated as the Y direction. The X direction is also referred to as the width direction or the rotation axis direction, and the Y direction is also referred to as the conveyance direction. In this embodiment, paper includes printing paper (hereinafter simply referred to as paper) and various films. Paper, in particular, includes paper made from plant-derived mechanical pulp and / or chemical pulp. Paper types include coated glossy paper and matte paper, as well as uncoated plain paper and fine paper.

[0035] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 1000 equipped with a paper physical property detection device 20 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1000. As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 1000 includes a paper feeder 10, a paper physical property detection device 20, an image forming apparatus main body 30 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the main body 30), and a paper discharge device 40, which are mechanically and electrically connected to each other.

[0036] (Paper feeder 10) The paper feeding device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a paper feeding unit 13, a conveying unit 14, and a communication unit 19. These are interconnected via signal lines such as a bus for exchanging signals.

[0037] The control unit 11 has a CPU and a memory. The CPU is a control circuit composed of a multi-core processor and the like that controls the above-mentioned components and executes various arithmetic processes according to a program, and each function of the sheet feeding device 10 is realized by the CPU executing the corresponding program. The memory is a high-speed accessible main storage device that temporarily stores programs and data as a working area. The memory may be, for example, a DRAM, SDRAM, or SRAM.

[0038] The storage unit 12 is a large-capacity auxiliary storage device that stores various programs including an operating system and various data. For example, a hard disk, a solid-state drive, a flash memory, a ROM, or the like is used as the storage.

[0039] The paper feed unit 13 includes a plurality of paper feed trays 131, and feeds the paper sheets 90 stored in the respective paper feed trays 131 one by one and sends them out to the conveyance path of the conveyance unit .

[0040] The transport section 14 includes a transport path 141 on which a plurality of transport rollers are arranged, transports the paper 90 fed from each paper feed tray 131, and sends it out to the paper property detection device 20 on the downstream side.

[0041] The communication unit 19 is an interface for communicating with other devices.

[0042] (Paper property detection device 20) The paper physical property detection device 20 includes a control unit 21, a memory unit 22, a conveying unit 24, physical property detection units 51 and 52, and a communication unit 29. The physical property detection units 51 and 52 function as first and second detection units, respectively, and detect first and second values ​​corresponding to the first and second physical properties, respectively. Hereinafter, the physical property detection units 51 and 52 are also referred to as the first physical property detection unit 51 and the second physical property detection unit 52, respectively. The first and second values ​​correspond to the physical properties and may be the physical property values ​​themselves or values ​​that indicate the physical properties, such as the current or voltage of a sensor corresponding to the physical property value. In the following examples, the first and second values ​​will be described as indicating the respective physical property values.

[0043] The control unit 21 has a CPU and a memory, similar to the above-described control unit 11. The control unit 21 functions as a correction unit 211, and corrects the first and second physical property values ​​(or first and second values; the same applies below) acquired by the physical property detection units 51 and 52. The correction function will be described later. The control unit 21 also has a control chip on its control board, and controls the operation of components such as motors of the physical property detection units 51 and 52 (see FIG. 6, described later).

[0044] The storage unit 22 stores a correction table (or relational expression) that indicates the correspondence relationship between the first and second physical property values, which is used in the correction control of the correction unit 211.

[0045] The conveying unit 24 includes a conveying path 241, on which first and second physical property detection units 51 and 52 are arranged. The first and second physical property detection units 51 and 52 each include one or more sensors and detect one or more paper physical property values ​​relating to different paper physical properties. The conveying unit 24 conveys the paper 90 sent from the paper feeder 10 to the main body unit 30 downstream. Details of the physical property detection units 51 and 52 will be described later. The communication unit 29 is an interface for communicating with other devices. The communication unit 29 functions as an output unit by working in cooperation with the control unit 21, and outputs corrected data, which will be described later, to the main body unit 30.

[0046] (Main body 30) The main body 30 is also referred to as the image forming device main body, and forms an image on the paper 90 sent from the upstream paper property detection device 20. The main body 30 includes a control unit 31, a memory unit 32, a paper feed unit 33, a conveyance unit 34, an image forming unit 35, an operation panel 36, and a communication unit 39.

[0047] Control unit 31 has a CPU and memory, similar to the above-described control units 11 and 21. Control unit 31 functions as a control unit for image forming apparatus 1000 by cooperating with control units 11, 21, etc. of other devices, and controls the entire image forming apparatus 1000. Control unit 31 also sets control parameters for image formation using either the first or second method described below, based on the paper physical properties (first and second paper physical properties) sent from the output unit of paper physical property detection device 20 and / or the paper physical properties input via operation panel 36.

[0048] (First method) The control unit 31 of the main body unit 30 performs a discrimination process based on multiple paper physical properties, including the first and second paper physical properties, to determine the paper type (type of paper) and basis weight. In this discrimination process, it determines that the paper is one of multiple classified paper types and multiple classified basis weights. Then, based on the determined paper type and basis weight, it performs a process to determine control parameters for image formation conditions. When performing this parameter determination process, it references a correspondence table stored in advance in the storage unit 32, which describes control values ​​for each parameter of fixing, transfer, and conveyance for each combination of paper type and basis weight.

[0049] (Second method) In the second method, each control parameter is determined directly from the paper physical properties. For example, each control parameter is determined from a plurality of paper physical properties 1 to n, including first and second paper physical properties. For example, a fixing control parameter is determined from paper physical properties 2 and 4, a transfer control parameter is determined from paper physical properties 1, 3, and n, and a transport control parameter is determined from paper physical properties 1 and n. Note that when determining these control parameters, a trained model trained by machine learning may be used.

[0050] The above-mentioned correspondence table or machine-learned model used to set control parameters based on the physical properties of paper is stored in memory unit 32. Paper feed unit 33 and conveyance unit 34 have the same functions as paper feed unit 13 and conveyance unit 14 described above, and feed paper 90 stored in a paper feed tray of paper feed unit 33 and convey it on conveyance path 341.

[0051] The image forming unit 35 forms an image, for example, by electrophotography. The image forming unit 35 includes a writing unit, a photosensitive drum, and a developing unit containing a two-component developer consisting of toner and carrier (all not shown). There are multiple writing units, photosensitive drums, and developing units, one for each of the basic colors: Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). The image forming unit 35 also includes an intermediate transfer belt, a secondary transfer unit, and a fixing unit. Toner images formed on the photosensitive drums by the developing units for each color are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt and transferred to paper 90 conveyed along conveyance path 341 in the secondary transfer unit (hereinafter also referred to as the transfer process). The toner image on paper 90 is fixed to paper 90 by applying heat and pressure in a fixing unit downstream (hereinafter also referred to as the fixing process). As described above, the control parameters for the image forming conditions of the transfer process, fixing process, and conveyance process are set by the control unit 31 using either the first or second method based on the physical properties of the paper.

[0052] The operation panel 36 is equipped with a touch panel, a numeric keypad, a start button, a stop button, etc., and displays the status of the main body 30 or the image forming apparatus 1000. It is also used by the user to input paper properties such as the type of paper placed in the paper feed tray, etc., as well as to input settings and instructions.

[0053] The communication unit 39 is an interface for communicating with other devices such as the paper feeder 10 and the paper physical property detection device 20. The communication unit 39 also serves as an interface for connecting to an external device via a network.

[0054] (Paper output device 40) The paper discharge device 40 discharges paper sheets sent from the main body 30. The paper discharge device 40 includes paper discharge trays 41 and 42. For example, the paper discharge tray 42 is used to discharge the first sheet of paper (blank paper, discarded paper) for which both the first and second physical property values ​​described below are measured, and the paper discharge tray 41 is used to discharge the second and subsequent sheets of paper 90 for actual printing, i.e., for which only the second physical property value has been measured without temporarily stopping the paper transport. Note that while the present embodiment illustrates an example in which the paper discharge device 40 is connected to the main body 30, a post-processing device may be used instead, or between the paper discharge device 40 and the main body 30, that performs at least one post-processing of stapling, punching, cutting, folding, and binding on the paper sheets 90 on which an image has been formed.

[0055] (Physical property detection units 51, 52) The physical property detection units 51 and 52 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6 as well as FIG.

[0056] (First physical property detection unit 51 (first detection unit)) 2, the physical property detection unit 51 includes a stiffness detection unit 511 and a paper resistance detection unit 512. The stiffness detection unit 511 and the paper resistance detection unit 512 measure the stiffness of the paper and the paper resistance (the electrical resistance (volume) of the paper; the same applies hereinafter) as the first physical property while the paper 90 is temporarily stopped.

[0057] (Rigidity detection unit 511) 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of the stiffness detection unit 511, with FIG. 3A being a perspective view and FIG. 3B being a side view. The stiffness detection unit 511 detects the stiffness of the paper sheet 90 transported along the transport path 241. The stiffness detection unit 511 includes a transport roller 242 that holds one edge of the paper sheet 90, and a pressing unit 60. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the transport roller 242 is also included in the transport unit 24 and also functions to transport the paper sheet 90, but a separate member may also be used.

[0058] The pressing unit 60 includes a push-up member 63 that pushes up the paper sheet 90, a pressing force detection unit 64 that detects the pressing force, a support mechanism 65 that supports the push-up member 63 so that it can move in the Z direction, and a motor M1 that moves the push-up member 63 in the Z direction via the support mechanism 65. The push-up member 63 is an elongated member that is long in the paper width direction X. The push-up member 63 is formed like an elongated plate so that it can contact the entire width of the paper sheet 90 being transported in the paper transport direction Y. The pressing force detection unit 64 detects the pressing force when the push-up member 63 pushes up the paper sheet 90 to bend it, and is composed of, for example, a pressure sensor. The support mechanism 65 supports the push-up member 63 and the pressing force detection unit 64 so that they can move in the Z direction. The motor M1 is a drive source that moves the push-up member 63 and the pressing force detection unit 64 in the Z direction and is composed of, for example, a stepping motor.

[0059] When measuring stiffness, motor M2 of transport roller 242 is stopped at a predetermined position on transport path 241, and paper 90 is temporarily stopped. At this time, the leading edge of paper 90 is positioned slightly beyond push-up member 63. The leading edge position of paper 90 can be determined from the timing at which paper passes a paper presence / absence detection sensor (not shown) arranged on transport path 241, and the amount of feed (amount of rotation) of transport roller 242 after passing through.

[0060] Next, the pressing unit 60 moves the push-up member 63 upward by driving the motor M1. As a result, the free end (leading edge) of the paper 90 is pushed up by the push-up member 63 and bent as shown in FIG. 3. At this time, the position where the push-up member 63 begins to contact the paper surface (bottom surface) of the paper 90 when the paper 90 is not bent is set as the home position of the push-up member 63 in the Z direction. The pressing force detection unit 64 detects the pressing force received from the paper 90 when the push-up member 63 bends the paper 90 by a predetermined amount (e.g., 3 mm) from this home position. The pressing unit 60 presses the push-up member 63 against the paper 90 at a position a second distance away from the leading edge of the paper 90 that is shorter than the first distance (the distance from the leading edge of the paper to the roller 242), thereby pressing the paper 90. The amount of pushing up of the paper 90 by the push-up member 63 can be determined by the number of pulse signals input to the driver of the motor M1. In this way, the stiffness detection unit 511 measures the stiffness of the paper sheet 90 based on the pressure applied when the paper sheet 90 is bent. That is, the stiffness detection unit 511 acquires the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit 64 when the paper sheet 90 is bent by the push-up member 63 as the stiffness of the paper sheet 90. The stiffness of the paper sheet 90 obtained in this way is the stiffness of the paper sheet 90 in the paper transport direction Y. Note that in FIG. 3, an example has been described in which the area pressed by the holding member (roller 242) and the area pushed up by the push-up member 63 are both parallel to the width direction X. However, the holding member and the push-up member 63 may be arranged at a predetermined angle (for example, 45 degrees) with respect to the width direction X, and the stiffness at this predetermined angle may also be measured to calculate the stiffness in not only the width direction but also the vertical direction (transport direction).

[0061] (Paper resistance detection unit 512) FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of paper resistance detection unit 512. Paper resistance detection unit 512 detects the electrical resistance (volume electrical resistance) of paper 90 transported through transport path 241. Paper resistance detection unit 512 includes transport rollers 243, which sandwich paper 90 between a pair of rollers, and HV (high voltage) unit 71. In the example shown in FIG. 4, transport roller 243 is also included in transport unit 24 and also functions to transport paper 90, but a separate member may also be used. Furthermore, transport roller 243 may be the same roller as transport roller 242 shown in FIG. 3.

[0062] When measuring the electrical resistance, the drive motor M3 of the transport roller 243 is stopped at a predetermined position on the transport path 241, and the paper 90 is temporarily stopped. In this state, the HV unit 71 applies a high voltage to the upper roller (also called the detection roller) of the transport roller 243, and the value of the current flowing through the paper 90 to the grounded lower roller (opposing roller) is measured.

[0063] (Second physical property detection unit 52 (second detection unit)) 2, physical property detection unit 52 includes moisture percentage detection unit 521, paper thickness detection unit 522, surface property detection unit 523, and basis weight detection unit 524. Moisture percentage detection unit 521, paper thickness detection unit 522, surface property detection unit 523, and basis weight detection unit 524 measure the moisture percentage, paper thickness, surface property, and basis weight of paper as the second physical property while conveying paper 90 without temporarily stopping it.

[0064] (Moisture content detection unit 521) 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the moisture percentage detection unit 521. The moisture percentage detection unit 521 uses an optical sensor to measure the moisture percentage (a physical property related to the amount of moisture, also referred to as moisture content) of the paper 90 conveyed along the conveyance path 241. The moisture percentage detection unit 521 includes an LED (light-emitting element) 81, a light-receiving element 82, and optical elements such as a lens, an aperture, and a collimating lens. The moisture percentage detection unit 521 irradiates the paper 90 with light of a predetermined wavelength in the near-infrared region from the LED 81, and detects the reflected light with the light-receiving element 82. The moisture percentage detection unit 521 detects the moisture percentage of the paper by utilizing the property that the absorbance of light of a predetermined wavelength in the near-infrared region changes depending on the moisture percentage of the paper 90.

[0065] (Paper thickness detection unit 522) The paper thickness detection unit 522 includes a pair of transport rollers, at least one of which moves depending on the thickness of the paper 90 passing through the nip between the rollers, and a measurement unit that measures the distance between the axes of this transport roller pair. This measurement unit is composed of, for example, an actuator, an encoder, and a light-emitting / light-receiving unit. The axis position of the movable driven roller displaces depending on the thickness of the paper 90 sandwiched between the transport roller pair. The paper thickness detection unit 522 measures the height of this displaced axis to measure the thickness of the paper 90.

[0066] (Surface detection unit 523) The surface property detection unit 523 includes a housing, a light-emitting unit, a collimating lens, and multiple light-receiving units (optical sensors). As described below, it optically detects specularly reflected light and diffusely reflected light from the paper surface. This detects the characteristics of the coating layer of the paper 90. An opening (measurement area) is provided in the guide plate above the paper passage area of ​​the transport path 241, and this opening serves as the irradiation area for the light-receiving units. The light-emitting unit emits light that is approximately parallelized by a collimating lens at an incident angle of 75° with respect to the reference surface. The wavelength of the emitted light is, for example, 465 nm. The multiple light-receiving units receive specularly reflected light and diffusely reflected light. For example, they are arranged at three locations with reflection angles of 30° (for diffusely reflected light), 60° (for diffusely reflected light), and 75° (for specularly reflected light), or at two locations with reflection angles of 60° and 75°. The surface property of the paper 90 is detected based on the absolute value and ratio of the light intensity received by each light-receiving unit.

[0067] (Basis weight detection unit 524) The basis weight detection unit is a sensor that detects the basis weight of the paper 90, and includes a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, and measures the basis weight based on the attenuation of light that passes through the paper 90. For example, the basis weight sensor has a light-emitting unit located below the transport area (paper transport path) through which the paper is transported, and a light-receiving unit located above it, and detects the basis weight of the paper 90 based on the intensity of light received by the light-receiving unit as the paper 90 passes through.

[0068] Fig. 6 is a block diagram explaining the signal flow between each detector and the control unit. Fig. 6 shows the stiffness detector 511, paper resistance detector 512, and moisture percentage detector 521 as representatives, and omits the illustration of other detectors such as the paper thickness detector 522.

[0069] The CPU 210 of the control unit 21 functions as a stiffness value converter, a paper resistance value converter, and a moisture content converter. The control unit 21 also includes control chips for the motor drivers 220 and 230 and the LED driver 240, which control the operation of each component. The control unit 21 obtains physical property values, such as stiffness, paper resistance, and moisture content, based on the pressure value, detected current, and reflected light intensity values ​​obtained from each detector. For example, with regard to the stiffness detector 511, the motor driver 220 controls the drive (rotation, stop, rotation amount) of the motors M1 and M2 in response to a control signal from the CPU 210, obtains a pressure value corresponding to the output (pressure value) of the pressure detector 64, and the stiffness value converter obtains a stiffness value converted from this pressure value. The paper resistance value converter calculates the paper resistance by dividing the voltage applied by the HV unit 71 by the measured current value.

[0070] (Changes in physical properties due to differences in paper stack position) Next, referring to Figures 7 and 8, we will explain the changes in physical properties due to differences in the position of a stack of sheets, which is the subject of this application. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the changes in moisture content and stiffness due to differences in the position of a stack of sheets in a paper feed tray in an HH environment (30°C, 80% RH, the same applies below). In Figure 7, the horizontal axis represents the moisture content (mass%) of the paper, and the vertical axis represents stiffness (N·m). The sheets 90 placed in the paper feed tray 131 are placed on the tray by opening a paper package and placing it on the tray. At this time, the topmost sheet (referred to as the first sheet in Figure 7) comes into direct contact with the air in the environment and adapts to the environment in a relatively short time. That is, in an HH environment, the topmost sheet is quickly humidified and its moisture content reaches a saturation value. On the other hand, the center of the stack, sandwiched between sheets above and below, takes longer to adapt to the environment and reach a saturation value. For example, after a package of paper is opened and loaded into paper feed tray 131, the moisture content of the paper in the bundle of paper will be uneven from the topmost paper to the center of the bundle for several days.

[0071] In Figure 7, the numbers 60, 85, etc. in the legend indicate the basis weight (g / m 2 ) and is a graph showing the relationship between moisture content and stiffness for sheets of paper with different basis weights. The plot on the right (high moisture content) of each data point, consisting of two or three points, shows the moisture content and stiffness of the first sheet of paper in an HH environment, as shown, and the plot to the left of it shows the moisture content and stiffness near the center of the stack of sheets. As such, the lower the moisture content, the higher the stiffness of the paper tends to be.

[0072] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the change in moisture content and the paper resistance (MΩ) at that time depending on the position of the paper stack in the paper feed tray in the same HH environment as Fig. 7. As shown, the lower the moisture content, the higher the paper resistance of the paper.

[0073] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the paper physical property detection process of paper physical property detection device 20, and Fig. 10 is a subroutine flowchart showing the process of step S16 in Fig. 9. In the process shown in Fig. 9, paper physical property detection device 20 detects and corrects the physical properties of the paper, and outputs the corrected paper physical properties to main body unit 30. Main body unit 30 forms an image on the paper using control parameters for image formation, etc. that have been set based on the received paper physical properties.

[0074] (nth sheet, n+xth sheet) In the paper physical property detection process described below, the paper physical property detection device detects the paper physical properties of the nth sheet of paper 90 using both the first and second physical property detection units 51, 52. At this time, the first physical property detection unit 51 temporarily stops the paper 90 as described above to measure the paper physical properties. Furthermore, for the (n+x)th sheet of paper 90 (also referred to as "one or more subsequent sheets of paper"), the second physical property detection unit 52 detects the paper physical properties while the paper is being conveyed without temporarily stopping it.

[0075] The nth sheet of paper 90 can be (a1) a sheet of paper for detecting paper physical properties that is conveyed immediately before the start of a print job (first step S11 in FIG. 9 described later), or the first sheet of paper used in a print job, (a2) the first sheet of paper in a new paper tray when the paper tray is changed due to print job settings or when the paper tray runs out (automatic tray switching setting) (step S18 described later), (a3) ​​the first sheet of paper when new paper 90 is replenished in the paper tray due to paper running out while a print job is being executed, and (a4) the sheet when a predetermined counter value is counted up (for example, counter value = 100 sheets). In a1, n = the first sheet after the start of the print job, in a2 and a3, n = the number of sheets during the print job, and in a4, n = 1, 101, 201, ..., the number of sheets at predetermined intervals (when the count value is 100).

[0076] In the former example of a1 above (immediately before start), the first sheet of paper 90 for paper property detection, which is fed from paper feed tray 131 and conveyed immediately before the start of the print job, is discharged as a blank sheet without an image being formed on it (discarded). For example, in a configuration in which first and second physical property detection units 51 and 52 are arranged on one conveyance path 241 as shown in FIG. 1, the nth sheet of paper 90 (blank sheet) is discharged to output tray 42, which is the sub-tray, and the (n+x)th sheet of paper 90 (printed paper) is discharged to output tray 41, which is the main tray. In addition, in a configuration in which first physical property detection unit 51 is arranged downstream of second physical property detection unit 52 and on a conveyance path branched from main conveyance path 241, the nth sheet of paper 90 is discharged via the branched conveyance path. In the latter example of a1 ("first sheet of paper to be used in a print job"), the first sheet of paper 90 fed from the paper feed tray 131 is not discarded but is used for printing.

[0077] The n+xth sheet of paper 90 is a sheet of paper other than the nth sheet of paper. For example, in the example (1) above, when a print job of 500 sheets is executed, if 500 or more sheets of paper 90 are stored in a certain paper feed tray, the first sheet of paper is the nth sheet of paper, and the other sheets of paper from 2 to 500 correspond to the n+xth sheet of paper (where n=1, x is 1 to 499).

[0078] (Step S11) The main body 30 starts a print job by accepting the print job. The paper feeder 10 feeds and transports paper 90 from the paper feed tray 131 used in the print job. The paper physical property detection device 20 transports the paper 90 received from the paper feeder 10 to the transport path 241. This first sheet of paper 90 corresponds to the nth sheet of paper described above, whose paper physical properties are detected by both the first and second physical property detection units 51 and 52 through the following process.

[0079] (Steps S12 and S13) The nth sheet of paper 90, which is fed from paper feed tray 131 and conveyed along conveyance path 241, is subjected to detection of paper physical properties by both physical property detection units 51 and 52, and first and second physical property values ​​are obtained. When measurement is performed by first physical property detection unit 51, the sheet of paper 90 is temporarily stopped. The measurement results relating to the first and second physical property values ​​are temporarily stored in memory unit 22. Furthermore, this sheet of paper 90 for paper physical property detection may be discharged as blank waste paper without undergoing image formation in downstream image forming unit 35.

[0080] (Step S14) The paper feeder 10 feeds and transports the second and subsequent sheets of paper 90 from the same paper feed tray 131. The paper physical property detection device 20 transports the paper 90 received from the paper feeder 10 to the transport path 241. The second and subsequent sheets of paper 90 correspond to the above-mentioned n+x-th sheet of paper.

[0081] (Step S15) The second physical property value is obtained by detecting the physical properties of the (n+x)th sheet of paper 90 conveyed along the conveying path 241 only by the second paper property detection unit 52. When measuring with the second paper property detection unit 52, the paper 90 is not temporarily stopped but is measured while being conveyed. Therefore, conveying efficiency or productivity is not reduced.

[0082] (Step S16) The correction unit 211 corrects the first physical property value based on the second physical property value to generate corrected data. One or both of the first and second physical property values ​​may be multiple types of physical property values. For example, the second physical property value is moisture content, and the first physical property value is stiffness and paper resistance, and corrected data of the two physical property values ​​related to stiffness and paper resistance is generated based on the moisture content. Specific details of this process will be described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0083] (Step S611) Here, the correction unit 211 selects a correction table from the first and second physical property values ​​of the nth image acquired by the processing of steps S11 to S13. A plurality of correction tables are stored in the storage unit 22 in advance, and the correction unit 211 selects one from among them.

[0084] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the selected correction table and changes in the first and second physical property values. In the example of FIG. 11, the first physical property is stiffness, and the second physical property is moisture content. Correction unit 211 selects the correction table to be used from the first and second physical property values ​​and their types of the nth (first) sheet temporarily stored in storage unit 22. FIG. 11(a) shows an example of a correction table selected and acquired from storage unit 22 when the first physical property of the first (nth) sheet acquired in the processing of steps S11 to S13 is stiffness, with a value of 201, and the second physical property is moisture content, with a value of 0.17.

[0085] (Step S612) Next, the correction unit 211 generates a corrected first physical property value based on the second physical property value of the (n+x)th sheet acquired in step S15. As shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), if the second physical property value of the (n+x1)th sheet is detected to be, for example, 0.146%, the corrected first physical property value (stiffness) for the (n+x1)th sheet is 235 (Nm). That is, the first physical property value 201 is corrected to 235. Also, if the second physical property value of the (n+x2)th sheet is detected to be 0.145 or less, the corrected first physical property value for the (n+x2)th sheet is similarly 240 (Nm). Here, the (n+x2)th sheet is a sheet near the center of the stack, and the (n+x1)th sheet is a sheet intermediate the first and (n+x2)th sheets.

[0086] FIG. 12 shows an example of another correction table selected from the first and second physical property values ​​of the nth sheet (first sheet). This is an example in which the types of the first and second physical properties are the same as those in FIG. 11, but paper sheets with different basis weights are used. Similarly, correction unit 211 selects a correction table such as that shown in FIG. 12 according to the first and second physical property values ​​and their types of the nth sheet (first sheet) obtained by the processing of steps S11 to S13 and temporarily stored in memory unit 22. Then, the first physical property value (stiffness) is corrected to 182 or 189 according to the second physical property value (moisture content) acquired in step S15.

[0087] Figures 13 and 14 show examples where the first and second physical properties are paper resistance and moisture content, respectively. Note that Figures 11(a) and 13, and Figures 12 and 14 use paper of the same basis weight.

[0088] By performing the corrected data generation process as described above, the process of FIG. 10 ends, and the process returns to the process of FIG. 9 (END (RETURN)).

[0089] (Step S17) The output unit (communication unit 29) outputs the first and second physical property values ​​of the (n+x)th image to the main unit 30. The second physical property values ​​are the measured values ​​acquired in step S15, and the first physical property values ​​are the corrected data generated in step S16 using the second physical property values. Note that here, only the first physical property values ​​(corrected data) of the (n+x)th image may be output.

[0090] (Image forming process in the main body 30) Based on the physical property values ​​of the paper sent here or on physical property values ​​of the paper input by the user via operation panel 36, main body 30 sets control parameters related to fixing, transfer, and transport for the (n+x)th sheet using the first or second method described above, and uses these set control parameters to form and output an image on paper 90 by image forming unit 35. Furthermore, when switching paper feed trays based on the job settings of the print job, or when switching to another paper feed tray 131 due to paper exhaustion (running out), control unit 31 of main body 30 transmits a signal to switch paper feed tray 131 to paper feed device 10 and paper physical property detection device 20. Furthermore, when the print job is to be ended, an end instruction signal is transmitted to paper feed device 10 and paper physical property detection device 20.

[0091] (Step S18) When the control unit 31 receives the instruction to switch the paper feed tray and decides to switch the paper feed tray 131 (YES), the process returns to step S11. Here, the first sheet of paper after the paper feed tray is switched corresponds to the nth sheet of paper, and in steps S11 to S13, the first and second physical property values ​​are detected by the first and second physical property detection units 51 and 52. On the other hand, if the paper feed tray 131 is not being switched (NO), the process proceeds to step S19.

[0092] (Step S19) If the print job is not finished (NO), the process returns to step S14 and the subsequent processes are repeated. In this case, x is incremented. On the other hand, if the print job is finished (YES), the process ends (END).

[0093] As described above, the paper physical property detection device 20 according to this embodiment includes a first detection unit that measures the paper that has been paused and acquires a first physical property value (a first value corresponding to the first physical property), a second detection unit that measures the paper while conveying it and acquires a second physical property value (a second value corresponding to the second physical property) relating to a paper physical property that is different from the first physical property value, and a correction unit that corrects the first physical property value based on the second physical property value and generates corrected data. This configuration makes it possible to detect paper physical properties with high accuracy and to suppress a decrease in productivity.

[0094] In particular, in this embodiment, for the nth sheet (n is a positive integer) fed from the paper feed tray, the sheet is temporarily stopped in the transport path, and the first and second physical property values ​​are acquired by the first and second detection units. For the n+xth sheet (x is a positive integer), the sheet is not temporarily stopped, and the second detection unit acquires the second physical property value. The correction unit corrects the first physical property value of the nth sheet based on the second physical property value of the n+xth sheet (x is a positive integer), generates corrected data, and outputs this data. As a result, for the first sheet (nth sheet), the sheet is temporarily stopped when the sheet physical property is detected, but for the second and subsequent sheets (n+xth sheets), the sheet is transported without being temporarily stopped, and only the second physical property value is detected, and corrected data is generated for the first physical property value. This configuration enables highly accurate detection of sheet physical properties and suppresses productivity degradation during sheet transport or subsequent image formation.

[0095] (First and second modified examples) Next, the process of generating corrected data in the first and second modified examples will be described with reference to Figures 15 to 17. In the first and second modified examples, corrected data is generated using a relational expression instead of a correction table.

[0096] FIG. 15 is a subroutine flowchart showing the processing of step S16 in the first modified example, and FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the relational expression (also called the correction expression) and the changes in the first and second physical property values.

[0097] (Step S621) Here, the correction unit 211 selects a linear relational expression from the first and second physical property values ​​of the nth sheet acquired by the processing of steps S11 to S13. The memory unit 22 stores in advance the coefficients of the function according to the combination of the types of physical properties of the first and second physical property values, and calculates an intercept or a constant from the first and second physical property values ​​of the nth sheet. For example, in the example of FIG. 16, the coefficient is determined to be -1603.2 from the combination of the first and second physical property values ​​of the first sheet, and the intercept is calculated from the first and second physical property values ​​to determine the relational expression (y = -1603.2x + 473.6). If the types of physical properties of the first and second physical property values ​​are paper resistivity and moisture content, the function becomes a polynomial, and the constant is calculated from the first and second physical property values ​​of the nth sheet.

[0098] (Step S622) Next, the correction unit 211 generates a corrected first physical property value based on the second physical property value of the (n+x)th sheet acquired in step S15. As shown in FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b), if the second physical property value of the (n+x1)th sheet is detected as 0.17%, for example, the corrected first physical property value (stiffness) for the (n+x1)th sheet will be 201 (Nm). Similarly, if the second physical property value of the (n+x2)th sheet is detected as 0.145, the corrected first physical property value for the (n+x2)th sheet will be 241 (Nm). By performing the corrected data generation process described above, the process of FIG. 15 ends, and the process returns to the process of FIG. 9 (END (RETURN)).

[0099] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating another example of a relational expression in the second modified example. In the second modified example, a proportional expression is used. This proportional expression is determined from the type and value of the first and second physical property values ​​of the nth sheet acquired by the processing of steps S11 to S13. This proportional expression is applicable when the types of the first and second physical properties are stiffness and moisture content. For example, if the acquired first and second physical property values ​​are stiffness and moisture content and have values ​​of "199" and "0.17," respectively, and the second physical property value of the (n+x)th sheet is 0.145, the rate of change of the second physical property value relative to the reference (0.17 (the second physical property value of the nth sheet)) is -14.7%. In the case of the type of stiffness, this rate of change of -14.7% is corrected to a negative value, so the corrected data of the first physical property value is 199 × 114.7% (+14.7%) = 228.3. This proportional expression corresponds to the relational expression 1170.6x+398 as shown in FIG. 17(b).

[0100] Even when the corrected data of the first physical property value is obtained using a relational expression as in the first and second modified examples, the same effects as in the above-described embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 14 can be obtained. In particular, the first modified example, which uses a coefficient determined in advance when determining the corrected data of the first physical property value, is preferable in terms of accuracy, but by determining the data by relative comparison as in the second modified example, it is not necessary to determine the coefficient in advance, and it is possible to easily determine the corrected data even when an unknown paper is used.

[0101] The configuration of the paper physical property detection device 20 and the image forming apparatus 1000 equipped with the same described above is a description of the main configuration in explaining the features of the above embodiment, but is not limited to the above configuration and can be variously modified within the scope of the claims. Furthermore, configurations equipped in general image forming apparatuses are not excluded.

[0102] In the above-described embodiments, the moisture content is used as the second physical property value, and the first physical property value (stiffness, paper resistance) is corrected from the moisture content detected for the n+xth sheet of paper. However, this is not limiting, and the second physical property value may be any of paper thickness, surface properties, or basis weight.

[0103] Furthermore, the means and methods for performing various processes in the paper property detection device 20 and main body 30 according to the above-described embodiment can be realized by either dedicated hardware circuits or a programmed computer. The above programs may be provided, for example, by a computer-readable recording medium such as a USB memory or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the programs recorded on the computer-readable recording medium are typically transferred and stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk. The above programs may also be provided as standalone application software or may be incorporated into the software of the device as a function of the device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1000 Image forming device 10 Paper feeder 20 Paper property detection device 21 Control Unit 211 Correction unit 22 Memory section 24 Conveyor 241 Transport Path 29 Communications Department 51 First physical property detection unit (first detection unit) 511 Rigidity detection unit 512 Paper resistance detection unit 52 second physical property detection unit (second detection unit) 521 Moisture content detector 522 Paper thickness detection unit 523 Surface detection unit 524 Basis weight detection unit 30 Main body (image forming apparatus main body) 31 Control Unit 32 Storage section 33 Paper feed section 34 Conveying section 35 Image forming unit 36 Operation Panel 40 Paper ejector

Claims

1. a conveying path for conveying paper fed from a paper feed tray; a first detection unit that measures the paper that has been temporarily stopped in the conveyance path and acquires a first value corresponding to a first physical property; a second detection unit that measures the paper while conveying the paper in the conveying path and acquires a second value corresponding to a second physical property related to a physical property different from the first physical property; a correction unit that corrects the first value based on the second value and generates corrected data, the second detection unit acquires the second values ​​for the temporarily stopped sheet and one or more subsequent sheets, and the correction unit generates the corrected data for each of the subsequent sheets based on the second values ​​for each of the subsequent sheets. Paper property detection device.

2. further comprising an output unit that outputs the corrected data, for an n-th sheet (n is a positive integer) fed from the paper feed tray, the sheet is temporarily stopped in the conveyance path, and the first and second physical property values ​​are acquired by the first and second detection units; For the n+xth sheet (x is a positive integer), the second value corresponding to the second physical property is acquired by the second detection unit without temporarily stopping the paper; the correction unit corrects the first value of the n-th sheet based on the second value of the n+x-th sheet (x is a positive integer) to generate corrected data; The paper physical property detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the output unit outputs the corrected data as the first value for the (n+x)th sheet of paper.

3. an image forming unit that forms an image on paper based on a print job is provided downstream of the conveyance path; the output unit outputs the corrected data corrected by the correction unit as a first value for the (n+x)th sheet of paper, which is used to set a control parameter for the image forming unit. The paper property detection device according to claim 2 .

4. 4. The paper physical property detection device according to claim 2, wherein the output unit further outputs the second physical property value of the (n+x)th sheet of paper obtained by the second detection unit.

5. 5. The paper physical property detection device according to claim 2, wherein the n-th sheet is a sheet for detecting paper physical properties that is conveyed immediately before the start of a print job, or a first sheet of paper that is used in a print job.

6. The paper feed tray is a plurality of trays, 6. The paper physical property detection device according to claim 2, wherein when the paper feed tray to be used is switched during a print job, the nth paper is the paper that is first fed from the switched paper feed tray.

7. 7. The paper physical property detection device according to claim 1, wherein the first value is a value relating to the stiffness and / or electrical resistance of the paper, which is the first physical property.

8. 8. The paper physical property detection device according to claim 1, wherein the second value is a value relating to a moisture content of the paper, which is the second physical property.

9. The paper physical property detection device according to claim 8 , wherein the second detection unit includes an optical sensor, and the optical sensor acquires a physical property value relating to the moisture content of the paper.

10. 10. The paper physical property detection device according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit generates the corrected data based on a correction table or a relational expression that indicates a correspondence between the first value and the second value stored in a memory unit.

11. 11. A paper physical property detection device according to claim 1, wherein the second value includes a value corresponding to at least one of the second physical properties, namely, the basis weight of the paper, the thickness of the paper, and the surface properties of the paper detected by an optical sensor.

12. an image forming unit disposed downstream of the conveying path and configured to form an image on the conveyed paper; a paper property detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 11; The image forming unit forms images on n+x sheets of paper using image forming conditions set based on the corrected data output by the output unit of the paper physical property detection device as the first value for the n+xth sheet of paper (n and x are positive integers).

13. A paper physical property detection method executed by a paper physical property detection device including: a transport path for transporting paper fed from a paper feed tray; a first detection unit that measures paper that has been temporarily stopped in the transport path to obtain a first value corresponding to a first physical property; and a second detection unit that measures the paper while transporting it in the transport path to obtain a second value corresponding to a second physical property related to a physical property different from the first physical property, a step (a) of acquiring the second value by the second detection unit for the paper conveyed on the conveyance path; (b) correcting the first value based on the second value to generate corrected data; In the step (a), the second detection unit acquires the second value for the temporarily stopped sheet and one or more subsequent sheets; In the step (b), the corrected data is generated for each of the subsequent sheets based on the second value for each of the subsequent sheets. Paper physical property detection method.

14. and (c) for an n-th sheet (n is a positive integer) fed from the paper feed tray, temporarily stopping the sheet and acquiring a first value corresponding to a first physical property by the first detection unit, and acquiring a second value corresponding to a second physical property by the second detection unit while conveying the sheet, Step (c) is performed before step (a); In the step (a), a second value is acquired by the second detection unit for the n+xth sheet (x is a positive integer) fed from the sheet feed tray without temporarily stopping the sheet on the conveyance path; In the step (b), the first value of the n-th sheet acquired in the step (c) is corrected based on the second value acquired in the step (a) to generate corrected data; The paper physical property detection method according to claim 13 , further comprising the step (d) of outputting the corrected data acquired in the step (b) as a first value for the (n+x)th sheet of paper.

15. an image forming unit that forms an image on paper based on a print job is provided downstream of the conveyance path; 15. The paper physical property detection method according to claim 14, wherein in step (d), the corrected data corrected in step (b) is output as a first value for the (n+x)th sheet of paper to be used for setting control parameters for the image forming unit.

16. 16. The paper physical property detection method according to claim 14, wherein in step (d), the second value of the (n+x)th sheet of paper acquired in step (b) is output.

17. 17. The paper physical property detection method according to claim 14, wherein the nth sheet of paper is a sheet for detecting paper physical properties that is conveyed immediately before the start of a print job, or the first sheet of paper used in the print job.

18. The paper feed tray is a plurality of trays, 18. A paper property detection method according to claim 14, wherein the nth sheet is the first sheet to be fed from the switched paper feed tray when the paper feed tray to be used is switched during a print job.

19. 19. The method for detecting a physical property of paper according to claim 13, wherein the first value is a value related to stiffness and / or electrical resistance of the paper, which is the first physical property.

20. 20. The method for detecting a physical property of paper according to claim 13, wherein the second value is a value relating to a moisture content of the paper, which is the second physical property.

21. 21. A paper physical property detection method according to claim 13, wherein in step (b), the corrected data is generated based on a correction table or a relational expression that indicates the correspondence between the first value and the second value stored in a memory unit.

22. A control program for causing a computer that controls a paper physical property detection device to execute the paper physical property detection method according to any one of claims 13 to 21.

Images