Modification job generation device, sheet processing system, and method for generating a modification job

Abstract

To provide a processing job generation device capable of generating a processing job in which a processing condition is set so that no defect occurs in a sheet processing.SOLUTION: A processing job generation device 10 includes: a first setting part 101 that sets a first processing condition; a second setting part 102 that sets a second processing condition; an association setting part 103 that associates the first processing condition and the second processing condition; a processing job generation part 104 configured to generate a processing job based on the set first processing condition and the set second processing condition; and a restriction part 105 that restricts a change to the second processing condition when the set second processing condition is associated with the first processing condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing job generating device, a sheet processing system, and a method for generating a processing job. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus including a creasing mechanism for creasing sheets and a folding mechanism for folding sheets conveyed from the creasing mechanism. The apparatus is configured to create creasing lines in the sheets and fold the sheets along the creases. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2013 / 164877 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the device, when the creasing setting is linked to the folding setting, an unintentional change in the creasing setting can cause problems in sheet processing. For example, an unintentional change in the creasing setting can cause a problem in which the folding position deviates from the intended position (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "folding misalignment"). Furthermore, when an image or the like is printed on a sheet using a toner printer, an unintentional change in the creasing setting can cause a problem in which the toner colorant peels off from the sheet along the fold (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "toner cracking").

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a processing job generation device that can generate processing jobs in which processing conditions are set so that no problems occur in sheet processing, a sheet processing device equipped with this processing job generation device, and a method for generating processing jobs in which processing conditions are set so that no problems occur in sheet processing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The modification job generation device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: A processing job generation device that generates a processing job for operating a sheet processing device configured to be able to perform at least a folding process and a creasing process on a sheet, the processing job including a first processing condition related to the folding process and a second processing condition related to the creasing process, a first setting unit that sets the first processing conditions; a second setting unit that sets the second processing conditions; an association setting unit that associates the first processing condition with the second processing condition; and a processing job generation unit that generates the processing job based on the set first processing condition and the set second processing condition; a limiting unit that limits a change of the second machining condition when the second machining condition is associated with the first machining condition; Equipped with.

[0007] A sheet processing system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: the modification job generation device; The sheet processing device; Equipped with.

[0008] The method of one aspect of the present invention comprises: A method for generating a processing job for operating a sheet processing device configured to perform at least creasing and folding on a sheet, the processing job including a first processing condition related to the folding and a second processing condition related to the creasing, Setting the first processing conditions; Setting the second processing conditions, Associating the first processing condition with the second processing condition; generating the processing job based on the set first processing condition and the set second processing condition; This includes: When the set second machining condition is associated with the first machining condition, a change of the second machining condition is restricted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to generate a processing job in which processing conditions are set so as to prevent problems from occurring in sheet processing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a sheet processing system including a processing job generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a first diagram showing a screen used to set processing conditions to be executed by the processing job generation device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing a screen used to set processing conditions to be executed by the processing job generation device of FIG. 1; [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a third diagram showing a screen used to set processing conditions to be executed by the processing job generation device of FIG. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart of a process executed by the modification job generating device of FIG. 1 when a modification job is generated. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart of a process executed by the modification job generation device shown in FIG. 1 when an input for changing a modification condition is received. [Figure 7] 2 is a diagram showing a screen used to set processing conditions executed by the processing job generation device of FIG. 1; [Figure 8] 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen used to set processing conditions executed by a first modified example of the processing job generation device of FIG. [Figure 9] 1. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen used to set processing conditions executed by a second modified example of the processing job generation device of FIG. [Figure 10] 1. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen used to set processing conditions executed by a third modified example of the processing job generation device of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a first diagram showing a screen used to set processing conditions executed by a fourth modified example of the processing job generation device of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a second diagram showing a screen used to set processing conditions executed by the fourth modified example of the processing job generation device of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a third diagram showing a screen used to set processing conditions executed by the fourth modified example of the processing job generation device of FIG. [Figure 14] 1. FIG. 4 is a fourth diagram showing a screen used to set processing conditions executed in the fourth modified example of the processing job generation device of FIG. [Figure 15] 1. FIG. 5 is a fifth diagram showing a screen used to set processing conditions executed in the fourth modified example of the processing job generation device of FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 6 is a sixth diagram showing a screen used to set processing conditions executed in the fourth modified example of the processing job generation device of FIG. 1; [Figure 17] 7 is a seventh diagram showing a screen used to set processing conditions executed in the fourth modified example of the processing job generation device of FIG. 1; [Figure 18] 13 is an eighth diagram showing a screen used to set processing conditions executed in the fourth modified example of the processing job generation device of FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 19] 9 is a ninth diagram showing a screen used to set processing conditions executed in the fourth modified example of the processing job generation device of FIG. 1; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses. Furthermore, the drawings are schematic, and the ratios of the dimensions do not necessarily correspond to the actual ones.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1 , a modification job generation device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, together with a printing device 20 and a sheet processing device 30, constitutes a sheet processing system 1. In this sheet processing system 1, the modification job generation device 10, the printing device 20, and the sheet processing device 30 are interconnected via a network for communication. The printing device 20 is configured to print sheets to generate printed sheets. The printing device 20 is, for example, a toner-based printing device. The sheet processing device 30 is configured to process the printed sheets printed by the printing device 20 based on the modification job generated by the modification job generation device 10. Specifically, the sheet processing device 30 is configured to creasing and folding the printed sheets based on the modification job generated by the modification job generation device 10. In addition to creasing and folding, the sheet processing device 30 may also be configured to perform processing other than creasing and folding (e.g., cutting or perforating).

[0013] The modification job generation device 10 includes a processor 11 for performing calculations, a storage unit 12, a transmission / reception unit 13, and a display device 14.

[0014] The processor 11 includes a CPU, an MPU, a GPU, a DSP, an FPGA, an ASIC, and the like.

[0015] The storage unit 12 stores programs, data, etc. required for generating processing jobs, etc. The storage unit 12 is configured, for example, with an internal storage medium or an external storage medium. The internal storage medium includes a non-volatile memory, etc. The external storage medium includes a hard disk (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), an optical disk device, etc.

[0016] The transmitting / receiving unit 13 outputs the generated processing job to an external device (for example, the printing device 20 and the sheet processing device 30). The transmitting / receiving unit 13 is configured with, for example, a communication circuit or a communication module for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device such as a server.

[0017] In this embodiment, the display device 14 constitutes a part of the modification job creation device 10. Note that the modification job creation device 10 does not necessarily have to be equipped with the display device 14. In this case, for example, an external display or a display device (not shown) of the sheet processing device 30 may be used.

[0018] A processing job includes information such as the size and type of sheet, the size and arrangement of the deliverables, the size and arrangement of the unit processing area, and the location, type, number, and dimensions of the processing to be performed in the unit processing area. That is, the information included in a processing job may be only information on the processing location, a combination of the processing location and processing type, or a combination of the processing location, processing type, and deliverable. Here, a unit processing area is an area of ​​a sheet that becomes a single deliverable through processing. A deliverable is an outcome obtained as a result of processing a sheet by the sheet processing device 30. When processing data for multiple deliverables (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as deliverable data) is imposed on a sheet, multiple unit processing areas are set on the sheet depending on the number of impositions, the size, and arrangement of the deliverables. The multiple unit processing areas may be the same size or may include different sizes. When one deliverable data is imposed on a sheet, one unit processing area is set on the entire sheet. When multiple unit processing areas are set on a sheet and processed, multiple deliverables are obtained from a single sheet.

[0019] The modification job generation device 10 includes a first setting unit 101, a second setting unit 102, an association setting unit 103, a modification job generation unit 104, a restriction unit 105, a reception unit 106, a notification unit 107, and an imposition setting unit 108. Each of the first setting unit 101, the second setting unit 102, the association setting unit 103, the modification job generation unit 104, the restriction unit 105, the reception unit 106, the notification unit 107, and the imposition setting unit 108 is realized, for example, by the processor 11 executing a predetermined program.

[0020] The first setting unit 101 sets first processing conditions related to folding. The first processing conditions include information such as the type of folding (folding pattern) to be performed on the unit processing area and the folding position. The first processing conditions are set, for example, using an input device (not shown) such as a pointing device (e.g., a mouse, trackball, touch panel, touchpad, or stylus pen), a keyboard, or cursor keys. The first setting unit 101 may automatically set the first processing conditions based on second processing conditions set by the second setting unit 102, which will be described later.

[0021] The second setting unit 102 sets second processing conditions related to the creasing process. The second processing conditions include information such as the type of creasing to be performed on the unit processing area and the crease position. The second processing conditions are set, for example, using an input device (not shown) such as a pointing device (e.g., a mouse, a trackball, a touch panel, a touchpad, or a stylus pen), a keyboard, or cursor keys. The second setting unit 102 may automatically set the second processing conditions based on the first processing conditions set by the first setting unit 101.

[0022] In the following description, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the first processing condition and the second processing condition, one of them may simply be referred to as the processing condition.

[0023] The association setting unit 103 is configured to associate a first processing condition with a second processing condition. In this embodiment, the association setting unit 103 is configured to associate a folding position with a crease position. The association setting unit 103 is also configured to be able to cancel the association between the first processing condition and the second processing condition.

[0024] The modification job generating unit 104 generates a modification job based on the first modification conditions set by the first setting unit 101 and the second modification conditions set by the second setting unit 102.

[0025] The restricting unit 105 is configured to be able to restrict (constrain) changes to the associated second processing conditions when the second processing conditions are associated with the first processing conditions by the association setting unit 103. In this embodiment, the restricting unit 105 prohibits deletion and change of a crease position associated with a folding position. The restricting unit 105 may be configured to restrict changes to the associated second processing conditions so as to allow changes to the associated second processing conditions only under certain conditions.

[0026] The reception unit 106 is configured to receive operations from an operator. For example, the reception unit 106 receives operations from an operator via an input device (not shown) such as a pointing device (e.g., a mouse, a trackball, a touch panel, a touch pad, or a stylus pen), a keyboard, or cursor keys.

[0027] The notification unit 107 is configured to notify the operator that the set or changed first processing condition or second processing condition is not reflected in the processing job or is reflected in the processing job. Specifically, when the first processing condition is set or changed by the first setting unit 101 and the setting or change of the first processing condition is not reflected in the processing job, the notification unit 107 notifies the operator that the setting or change of the first processing condition is not reflected in the processing job. Furthermore, when the first processing condition is set or changed by the first setting unit 101 and the setting or change of the first processing condition is reflected in the processing job, the notification unit 107 notifies the operator that the setting or change of the first processing condition is reflected in the processing job. Similarly, when the second processing condition is set or changed by the second setting unit 102 and the setting or change of the second processing condition is not reflected in the processing job, the notification unit 107 notifies the operator that the setting or change of the second processing condition is not reflected in the processing job. Furthermore, when the second processing conditions are set or changed by the second setting unit 102 and the setting or change of the second processing conditions is reflected in the processing job, the notification unit 107 notifies the operator that the setting or change of the second processing conditions has been reflected in the processing job. As an example, the notification unit 107 notifies the operator visually via the display device 14. Alternatively, the notification unit 107 may notify the operator audibly via a speaker (not shown) or the like.

[0028] The imposition setting unit 108 imposes a plurality of pieces of deliverable data onto a sheet.

[0029] 2 to 4 show the display 1400 displaying a setting screen for processing conditions. FIG. 2 shows the display 1400 displaying a setting screen for standard input. FIG. 3 shows the display 1400 displaying a setting screen for first processing conditions for manual input. FIG. 4 shows the display 1400 displaying a setting screen for second processing conditions for manual input. Here, standard input is an input mode in which the crease position when performing creasing and the folding position when performing folding are automatically set to correspond to each other, and manual input is an input mode in which the operator can freely set the folding position and the crease position. The operator can set the processing conditions by selecting either the standard input or manual input input mode and operating the setting screens shown in FIGS. 2 to 4.

[0030] 2, the setting screen for fixed form input has a folding form selection section 1401 for the operator to select the type of folding (folding form), and a folding position input section 1402 for the operator to input the folding position according to the selected type of folding. The first setting section 101 sets the first processing conditions (folding form and folding position) based on the information input to the folding form selection section 1401 and the folding position input section 1402.

[0031] In this embodiment, the shift amount of the folding length is input to the folding position input field 1402. Specifically, in FIG. 2, a folding type in two is selected, and a value of 0.0 mm is input to the folding position input field 1402. In this case, the unit processing area is folded evenly in two. When the value input to the folding position input field 1402 is changed in the + (plus) or - (minus) direction, the folding position moves by the set value from the even position. For example, when folding a unit processing area with a length of 200 mm in the front-to-rear direction in two, if a value of 0.0 mm is input to the folding position input field 1402, the unit processing area is folded in two at a position 100 mm from the front side (in other words, a position 100 mm from the rear side), and if a value of +5.0 mm is input to the folding position input field 1402, the unit processing area is folded in two at a position 105 mm from the front side (in other words, a position 95 mm from the rear side). In other words, in this embodiment, the folding position input unit 1402 inputs the relative position of the folding position (in other words, the amount of change (shift) in the folding position) based on the position where the unit processing area is equally divided according to the folding type (for example, equally divided into two for a two-fold, or equally divided into three for a three-fold).

[0032] In this embodiment, the folding process setting can be deleted by changing the type of folding pattern. For example, the folding process setting can be deleted by reducing the number of folds selected by the folding pattern selection unit 1401 from a three-fold pattern (i.e., a folding pattern with two folds) to a two-fold pattern (i.e., a folding pattern with one fold) or no fold (i.e., a folding pattern with zero folds). In other words, the restriction unit 105 allows the deletion of the first processing condition.

[0033] The setting screen for the fixed form input includes a folding position crease selection section 1403 and an apply button 1404. When a check mark is entered in the folding position crease selection section 1403, the second setting section 102 sets second processing conditions based on the set first processing conditions, and the association setting section 103 associates the first processing conditions with the second processing conditions. Specifically, the second setting section 102 sets crease positions based on the folding positions input in the folding position input section 1402, and the association setting section 103 associates these folding positions with the crease positions. The apply button 1404 is a button for applying the processing conditions set in the setting screen for the fixed form input to the processing job. The processing job generation section 104 generates a processing job based on the processing conditions applied to the processing job. In the state shown in FIG. 2, an unapplied icon 1405 is displayed near the apply button 1404. The not-applied icon 1405 is displayed by the notifying unit 107 to notify that the processing conditions set on the fixed input setting screen have not been applied to the settings.

[0034] 3, the setting screen for the first processing conditions for manual input has a folding type selection section 1401, a folding position input section 1402, a folding position crease selection section 1403, and an apply button 1404, similar to the setting screen for fixed form input. The setting screen for the first processing conditions for manual input also has an immediate reflection selection section 1406. When a check mark is entered in the immediate reflection selection section 1406, changes to the processing conditions are immediately reflected in a preview 1407. When a check mark is entered in the immediate reflection selection section 1406, changes to the folding type are not accepted, and only changes to the folding position are possible. In other words, when a check mark is entered in the immediate reflection selection section 1406, the folding type selection section 1401 cannot be operated. If you want to change the folding type, you need to uncheck the immediate reflection selection section 1406. However, when the folding type "none" is selected in the folding type selection section 1401, it is possible to change to another folding type even if a check mark is entered in the immediate reflection selection section 1406. Also, when the folding type "none" is selected in the folding type selection section 1401, the immediate reflection selection section 1406 may be grayed out to prevent a check mark from being entered, and it may be possible to change to another folding type.

[0035] Referring to Figure 4, the setting screen for the second processing conditions by manual input includes a crease position input section 1408 for the operator to input the crease position, an add button 1409, a crease display section 1410, a change button 1411, a delete button 1412, and an apply button 1404.

[0036] The add button 1409 is a button for adding the crease position input in the crease position input section 1408 to the second processing conditions. When the add button 1409 is pressed, the crease position input in the crease position input section 1408 is newly added to the second processing conditions.

[0037] The crease display unit 1410 is configured to display the set second processing conditions. Specifically, the crease display unit 1410 displays the crease positions of the set creases. The crease display unit 1410 also displays, for each crease, whether it is a folding position crease, that is, whether the crease position has been set in correspondence with a folding position. In other words, the crease display unit 1410 displays, for each crease, whether the crease position is associated with a folding position. In the state shown in FIG. 4, the crease display unit 1410 displays three creases, No. 1 to 3, and indicates that the No. 2 crease is a folding position crease and is associated with a folding position.

[0038] The change button 1411 is a button for changing the crease position of the crease selected in the crease display portion 1410. When the change button 1411 is pressed, the set crease position is changed to the crease position input in the crease position input portion 1408. In this embodiment, if the crease selected in the crease display portion 1410 is a folding position crease, the restriction unit 105 prevents the change button 1411 from being pressed (indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 4). In other words, if the crease position of the crease selected in the crease display portion 1410 is associated with a folding position, the restriction unit 105 prohibits the crease position from being changed.

[0039] The delete button 1412 is a button for deleting a crease selected in the crease display portion 1410. When the delete button 1412 is pressed, the selected crease is deleted. In this embodiment, if the selected crease is a folding position crease, the restriction unit 105 prevents the delete button 1412 from being pressed (indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 4). In other words, if the crease position of the selected crease is associated with a folding position, the restriction unit 105 prohibits the crease position from being deleted.

[0040] When a folding position and a crease position are associated with each other, if a folding position is changed, the crease position is also changed based on the changed folding position. For example, if the value input in the folding position input unit 1402 on the setting screen shown in Fig. 3 is changed from the state shown in Fig. 3 to 220.0, the crease position of crease No. 2 on the setting screen shown in Fig. 4 is also changed from the state shown in Fig. 4 to 220.0. In other words, when a folding position and a crease position are associated with each other, if a folding position is changed, the second setting unit 102 changes the crease position associated with the changed folding position based on the folding position.

[0041] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the modification job generation device 10 shown in Fig. 1 when a modification job is generated. The processing shown in Fig. 5 is performed, for example, by the processor 11 executing a predetermined program.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 5, in step S1, the first setting unit 101 sets first processing conditions, and the second setting unit 102 sets second processing conditions.

[0043] In step S1, the first setting unit 101 sets first processing conditions based on input from the operator. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2 or 3, the operator selects a folding type and inputs a folding position, and the first setting unit 101 sets the folding type and the folding position as the first processing conditions. The first setting unit 101 may also set the first processing conditions based on second processing conditions set by the second setting unit 102, which will be described later.

[0044] In step S1, the second setting unit 102 sets the second processing conditions based on the set first processing conditions or input by the operator. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when a check mark is input in the folding position crease selection unit 1403, the second setting unit 102 sets the second processing conditions based on the set first processing conditions. Specifically, when a check mark is input in the folding position crease selection unit 1403, the second setting unit 102 sets a crease position corresponding to the folding position input in the folding position input unit 1402. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the second setting unit 102 can also set the crease position based on input by the operator.

[0045] Next, in step S2, the modification job generating unit 104 generates a modification job based on the first modification conditions set by the first setting unit 101 and the second modification conditions set by the second setting unit .

[0046] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the modification job generation device 10 shown in FIG. 1 when the receiving unit 106 receives an input for changing the modification conditions from the operator. The processing shown in FIG. 6 is implemented, for example, by the processor 11 executing a predetermined program, and starts when the receiving unit 106 receives an input for changing the modification conditions from the operator. In this embodiment, the modification job generation device 10 starts the processing of FIG. 6 when the operator selects one of the creases displayed in the crease display area 1410 (shown in FIG. 4).

[0047] 6, in step S11, the restriction unit 105 determines whether the second processing condition of the crease selected by the operator is associated with the first processing condition. For example, the restriction unit 105 determines whether the crease position of the crease selected by the operator is associated with a folding position. In other words, the restriction unit 105 determines whether the crease selected by the operator is a folding position crease.

[0048] If the restriction unit 105 determines that the second processing condition of the selected crease is associated with the first processing condition, the process proceeds to step S12. Specifically, if the crease position of the crease selected by the operator is associated with the folding position, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the restriction unit 105 restricts the change of the second processing condition of the selected crease (in this embodiment, the crease position). As shown in FIG. 4, the restriction unit 105 grays out the Change button 1411 and the Delete button 1412 (indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 4) so ​​that they cannot be pressed, thereby restricting the crease position of the selected crease from being changed or deleted.

[0049] If the restriction unit 105 determines that the selected second processing condition is not associated with the first processing condition, the process proceeds to step S13. For example, if the crease position of the crease selected by the operator is not associated with a folding position, the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the restriction unit 105 allows the second processing condition of the selected crease, i.e., the crease position, to be changed or deleted.

[0050] After step S12 or step S13, when the operator presses the apply button 1404, the processing proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the modification job generating unit 104 updates the modification job based on the changed or deleted second modification condition, i.e., the crease position.

[0051] FIG. 7 shows a display 1400 displaying an imposition setting screen. Referring to FIG. 7, the imposition setting screen includes input sections for inputting the paper (sheet) size, the product size, the number of impositions, and the margins. The imposition setting unit 108 imposes multiple pieces of deliverable data (7 rows and 3 columns in the example shown in FIG. 7) on a sheet based on the paper size, the product size, the number of impositions, and the margins input via the setting screen shown in FIG. 7. The modification job generation unit 104 sets unit processing areas on the sheet according to the number of impositions and the layout and size of the deliverables. In this embodiment, the modification job generation unit 104 is configured to generate modification jobs for each of the multiple deliverable data imposed on the sheet, reflecting the first and second modification conditions for one piece of deliverable data. In other words, the modification job generation unit 104 is configured to generate modification jobs for each of the multiple unit processing areas set on the sheet, reflecting the first and second modification conditions for one piece of unit processing area.

[0052] The modification job generation device 10 of this embodiment can achieve the following effects.

[0053] The limiting unit 105 limits changes to the second processing conditions associated with the first processing conditions. This configuration prevents the second processing conditions (in this embodiment, the crease position) associated with the first processing conditions from being unintentionally changed, thereby preventing problems such as folding misalignment or toner cracking. Therefore, it is possible to generate a processing job in which processing conditions are set so that problems do not occur in sheet processing.

[0054] The restricting unit 105 prohibits the deletion of the second processing condition (e.g., crease position) associated with the first processing condition. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the second processing condition (e.g., whether or not processing is performed and the processing position) associated with the first processing condition from being unintentionally deleted. Therefore, processing conditions can be easily set so that problems do not occur in sheet processing.

[0055] The processing job generation unit 104 generates processing jobs for each of multiple deliverable data imposed on a sheet, reflecting the processing conditions for one deliverable data.With this configuration, if first and second processing conditions are set for one deliverable data, the same first and second processing conditions as for the one deliverable data will be reflected in all deliverables, making it easy to set processing conditions.

[0056] The limiting unit 105 deletes the first processing condition when the receiving unit 106 receives an input to delete the first processing condition. With this configuration, the user can delete the first processing condition at will, making it easy to set processing conditions.

[0057] The notification unit 107 notifies the user that the set or changed first processing condition or second processing condition is not reflected in the processing job or is reflected in the processing job. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the operator from forgetting to reflect the set or changed first processing condition or second processing condition in the processing job.

[0058] According to the sheet processing system 1 of this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0059] According to the sheet processing system 1, the processing job generation device 10 can set processing conditions so that no problems occur in sheet processing.

[0060] According to the method for generating a modification job of this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0061] In the method, changes to the second processing conditions associated with the first processing conditions are restricted. This process prevents unintentional changes to the second processing conditions (e.g., crease position) associated with the first processing conditions, which can cause problems such as folding misalignment or toner cracking. Therefore, it is possible to generate a processing job in which processing conditions are set so that problems do not occur in sheet processing.

[0062] The sheet processing system 1 and the processing job generation device 10 of this embodiment can also be configured as follows.

[0063] (First Modification) The first setting unit 101 may be configured to set the folding position based on the crease position input by the operator. In this case, the setting screen for fixed form input may be the setting screen shown in FIG. 8. The setting screen shown in FIG. 8 includes a folding pattern selection unit 1401 for the operator to select the type of folding (folding pattern), a crease position input unit 1408 for the operator to input the crease position according to the selected folding pattern, and a crease position folding selection unit 1413. In this modification, the crease position input unit 1408 receives an input of the relative position of the crease position based on the position where the unit processing area is equally divided according to the folding pattern (for example, equally divided into two for a two-fold, or equally divided into three for a three-fold). The second setting unit 102 sets the second processing conditions based on the information input to the folding pattern selection unit 1401 and the crease position input unit 1408. When a check is input in the crease position folding selection unit 1413, the first setting unit 101 sets the first processing conditions based on the set second processing conditions, and the association setting unit 103 associates the first processing conditions with the second processing conditions. Specifically, the first setting unit 101 sets the folding positions based on the crease positions set by the information input in the folding pattern selection unit 1401 and the crease position input unit 1408, and the association setting unit 103 associates these folding positions with the crease positions.

[0064] (Second Modification) Instead of prohibiting the deletion of a crease position associated with a folding position, when the receiving unit 106 receives an input to delete a crease position associated with a folding position, the restricting unit 105 may display a message 1414, as shown in Fig. 9, to ask the operator whether to delete the crease position. If "Yes" is selected in this message 1414, the restricting unit 105 allows the crease position to be deleted. In this case, the folding position is maintained without being deleted.

[0065] In this modification, when the receiving unit 106 receives an input to delete the second processing condition associated with the first processing condition, the restriction unit 105 confirms with the operator whether to delete the second processing condition. This configuration can prevent the crease position associated with the folding position from being unintentionally deleted. Furthermore, this configuration can also delete the crease position associated with the folding position if the operator intends to do so. As a result, processing conditions can be easily set to prevent problems from occurring in sheet processing.

[0066] In this modification, the limiting unit 105 is configured to be able to delete only the crease position while maintaining the associated folding position and crease position. With this configuration, when the sheet (paper) is thin paper, it is possible to prevent creasing marks from remaining on the sheet (product) by deleting only the crease and maintaining the fold. Furthermore, by omitting the creasing process, the processing time for the sheet in the sheet processing device 30 can be shortened.

[0067] (Third Modification) Instead of prohibiting a change to the crease position associated with a folding position, when the reception unit 106 receives an input to change the crease position associated with a folding position, the restriction unit 105 may display a message 1415, as shown in Fig. 10, asking the operator whether to cancel the association (association) between the fold and the crease. If "Yes" is selected in this message, the restriction unit 105 allows the crease position to be changed. In this case, the folding position is maintained unchanged.

[0068] In this modification, when the receiving unit 106 receives an input to change the second processing condition associated with the first processing condition, the limiting unit 105 confirms with the operator whether to change the second processing condition. This configuration can prevent the crease position associated with the folding position from being unintentionally changed. Furthermore, this configuration allows the operator to change the crease position associated with the folding position if desired. As a result, processing conditions can be easily set to prevent problems from occurring in sheet processing.

[0069] (Fourth Modification) The modification job generation device 10 may display setting screens for individual input shown in Figures 11 to 19 on the display 1400, instead of the setting screens shown in Figures 2 to 4. Individual input is an input mode in which the folding pattern input, fold input, and crease input are input individually for each setting screen.

[0070] The setting screen for inputting folding patterns shown in Fig. 11 has a folding pattern selection section 1401, an apply button 1404, a back button 1416, and a next button 1417. Pressing the next button 1417 on the setting screen in Fig. 11 transitions to the setting screen shown in Fig. 12.

[0071] The folding input setting screen shown in FIG. 12 includes a folding position input section 1402, a folding position crease selection section 1403, an apply button 1404, a back button 1416, and a next button 1417. In this modification, the distance (i.e., absolute position) of the folding position from the reference position of the unit processing area (the front end of the unit processing area shown at the left end in FIG. 12) is input into the folding position input section 1402. In FIG. 12, when "ON" is selected in the folding position crease selection section 1403, the second setting section 102 sets second processing conditions based on the set first processing conditions, and the association setting section 103 associates the first processing conditions with the second processing conditions. Specifically, the second setting section 102 sets crease positions based on the folding positions input into the folding position input section 1402, and the association setting section 103 associates these folding positions with the crease positions. Pressing the next button 1417 on the setting screen of FIG. 12 transitions to the setting screen shown in FIG. 13, and pressing the back button 1416 on the setting screen of FIG. 12 transitions to the setting screen shown in FIG.

[0072] The crease input setting screen shown in Fig. 13 is arranged with a crease position input section 1408, an add button 1409, an apply button 1404, a back button 1416, and a next button 1417. On the setting screen shown in Fig. 13, the crease position input section 1408 in which the crease position associated with the folding position (42.5 in Fig. 13) has been input is grayed out (indicated by a dashed line in Fig. 13) and cannot be selected. The restriction unit 105 prohibits the deletion or modification of the crease position associated with the folding position. Pressing the back button 1416 on the setting screen of Fig. 13 transitions to the setting screen shown in Fig. 12.

[0073] To delete only the first processing condition from the state shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, select "OFF" in the folding position crease selection area 1403 as shown in FIG. 14, release the association between the folding position and the crease position, and then change the value in the folding position input area 1402 to 0.0. This deletes the processing condition for folding. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15, the crease position (42.5 in FIG. 15) whose association with the folding position has been released is not deleted but is maintained and can be changed.

[0074] 11 to 13, to delete both the first and second processing conditions that are associated with each other, select "ON" in the folding position crease selection field 1403 as shown in FIG. 16, and change the value in the folding position input field 1402 to 0.0 while maintaining the association between the folding position and the crease position. This deletes the processing condition for folding. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 17, the crease position (42.5 in FIG. 13) that is associated with the folding position is also deleted in the same way.

[0075] Instead of prohibiting the deletion of a crease position associated with a folding position, when the receiving unit 106 receives an input to delete a crease position associated with a folding position, the restricting unit 105 may display a message 1414, as shown in Fig. 18, asking the operator whether to delete the crease position. If "Yes" is selected in this message, the restricting unit 105 allows the crease position to be deleted. In this case, the folding position is maintained without being deleted.

[0076] Instead of prohibiting a change to the crease position associated with a folding position, when the reception unit 106 receives an input to change the crease position associated with a folding position, the restriction unit 105 may display a message asking the operator whether to cancel the association (association) between the fold and the crease, as shown in Fig. 19. If "Yes" is selected in this message, the restriction unit 105 allows the crease position to be changed. In this case, the folding position is maintained unchanged.

[0077] (Other variations) The transmitting / receiving unit 13 can be omitted by, for example, forming the processing job generation device 10 integrally with the sheet processing device 30.

[0078] The sheet processing system 1 only needs to include at least the processing job generating device 10 and the sheet processing device 30, and the printing device 20 can be omitted.

[0079] The reception unit 106, the notification unit 107, and the imposition setting unit 108 can be omitted.

[0080] When the processing conditions are set or changed and the setting or change of the processing conditions is reflected in the processing job, the notification unit 107 may notify the operator that the setting or change of the processing conditions has been reflected in the processing job. In this case, the notification unit 107 may display a message on the display 1400 indicating that the setting or change has been reflected, or may notify the operator by graying out the Apply button 1404.

[0081] The processing condition setting screen does not need to include the immediate reflection selection unit 1406. In this case, when the processing conditions are set or changed, the setting and change of the processing conditions may be reflected in the preview 1407 immediately, or may be reflected in the preview 1407 when an instruction to update the preview 1407 is received from the operator.

[0082] Furthermore, when processing conditions are set or changed, the settings and changes to the processing conditions may be immediately reflected in the processing job. In this case, the Apply button 1404 may not be provided on the setting screen. When processing conditions are set or changed, the settings and changes to the processing conditions may be reflected in the preview 1407, and after the operator checks the preview 1407, the settings and changes to the processing conditions may be reflected in the processing job when the operator gives an instruction to reflect them in the processing job. Whether the settings are immediately reflected in the processing job or reflected in response to an operator instruction may be used differently depending on the processing conditions being set. For example, settings for folding or creasing may be reflected in response to a user instruction, while settings for imposition (e.g., sheet size) and settings for cutting the sheet into a finished product (e.g., product size, number of impositions, and margin settings) may be reflected immediately.

[0083] The limiting unit 105 may limit the change of the crease position (or the range within which it can be changed). For example, when changing a crease position set to a position corresponding to a folding position, a change of up to ±1.0 mm may be permitted, but a change beyond ±1.0 mm may be prohibited. For example, when a value of "42.5" is input to the crease position input unit 1408 on the setting screen shown in FIG. 13, the limiting unit 105 allows the crease position to be changed only within the range from 41.5 mm to 43.5 mm and prohibits changing the crease position outside this range. In this case, when the folding position is changed, the crease position may be changed and set to a position corresponding to the changed folding position, and the range within which it can be changed may be set based on the changed crease position. Therefore, the restriction on changing the second processing condition in the present invention includes three aspects: prohibiting deletion of a crease position, prohibiting changing a crease position, and restricting the change of the crease position (e.g., restricting the range within which the crease position can be changed).

[0084] Any of the various embodiments or modifications described above can be combined appropriately to achieve the effects of each. In addition, combinations of embodiments, combinations of examples, or combinations of embodiments and examples are possible, and combinations of features from different embodiments or examples are also possible.

[0085] Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims unless they depart therefrom. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1. Sheet processing system 10. Processing job generation device 101 First Setting Section 102 Second Setting Section 103 Association setting section 104 Processing job generation unit 105 Restricted Section 106 Reception 107 Information Department 108 Imposition Settings 11 processors 12 Storage section 13 Transmitter / Receiver 14 Display device 1401 Folding type selection section 1402 Folding position input section 1403 Fold position crease selection section 1404 Apply button 1405 Unapplied Icon 1406 Immediate Reflection Selection Section 1407 Preview 1408 Crease position input section 1409 Add button 1410 Crease display 1411 Change button 1412 Delete button 1413 Crease position fold selection section 1414 Messages 1415 Messages 1416 Back button 1417 Next button 20 Printing device 30 Sheet processing equipment

Claims

1. A processing job generation device generates a processing job for operating a sheet processing device configured to perform at least a folding process and a creasing process on a sheet, the processing job including a first processing condition related to the folding process and a second processing condition related to the creasing process, a first setting unit that sets the first processing conditions; a second setting unit that sets the second processing conditions; an association setting unit that associates the first processing condition with the second processing condition; a modification job generating unit configured to generate the modification job based on the set first modification condition and the set second modification condition; a limiting unit that limits a change of the second machining condition when the second machining condition is associated with the first machining condition; A modification job generation device comprising:

2. The modification job generation device according to claim 1 , wherein the restriction unit prohibits deletion of the second modification condition associated with the first modification condition.

3. a receiving unit that receives a change of the second processing condition, 2. The processing job generation device according to claim 1, wherein, when the receiving unit receives an input to delete the second processing condition associated with the first processing condition, the restriction unit confirms with an operator whether to delete the second processing condition.

4. the second processing conditions include conditions relating to a processing position of the creasing processing, The modification job generation device according to claim 1 , wherein the restriction unit restricts a change of the modification position in the second modification condition associated with the first modification condition.

5. a receiving unit that receives a change of the first processing condition, The modification job generation device according to claim 1 , wherein the restriction unit deletes the first modification condition when the reception unit receives an input for deleting the first modification condition.

6. an imposition setting unit configured to impose a plurality of pieces of deliverable data onto the sheet; 2. The modification job generation device according to claim 1, wherein the modification job generation unit is configured to generate the modification job for each of the plurality of deliverable data imposed on the sheet by reflecting the first modification condition and the second modification condition for one deliverable data.

7. 2. The modification job generation device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies that the set or changed first modification condition or the set or changed second modification condition is not reflected in the modification job or is reflected in the modification job.

8. 2. The processing job generation device according to claim 1, wherein the association setting unit associates the first processing condition with the second processing condition after the first setting unit sets the first processing condition and the second setting unit sets the second processing condition.

9. the second setting unit sets the second machining conditions based on the first machining conditions set by the first setting unit, The modification job generation device according to claim 1 , wherein the association setting unit associates the set first modification condition with the set second modification condition.

10. the first setting unit sets the first machining conditions based on the second machining conditions set by the second setting unit; The modification job generation device according to claim 1 , wherein the association setting unit associates the set first modification condition with the set second modification condition.

11. The modification job generation device according to claim 1 ; The sheet processing device; A sheet processing system comprising:

12. A method for generating a processing job for operating a sheet processing device configured to perform at least creasing and folding on a sheet, the processing job including a first processing condition related to the folding and a second processing condition related to the creasing, setting the first processing conditions; setting the second processing conditions; Associating the first processing condition with the second processing condition; generating the processing job based on the set first processing condition and the set second processing condition; This includes: A method for limiting changes to the set second machining condition when the set second machining condition is associated with the first machining condition.

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