Post-processing device and image forming system

Abstract

To provide a post-processing device enabling an easy and fuss-free quality verification of the sheet after cutting even when preparing many small piece sheets such as sheet cutting of business cards, and to provide an image formation system comprising the post-processing device.SOLUTION: A post-processing device comprises: a sheet cutting part 22 cutting the sheet on which images are formed; a reading part (image reading device 30) reading the sheet cut by the sheet cutting part; and a determination part (image formation control part 16) determining the quality of a cutting position of the sheet cut by the sheet cutting part based on the reading result by the reading part. Besides, the determination part determines the quality of the sheet cutting position on which a partial sheet cutting is performed by the sheet cutting part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a post-processing device and an image forming system including the post-processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In the past, there has been known an image forming system that includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image on paper and a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on the paper on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus. As the post-processing apparatus, for example, one that includes a paper cutting unit that cuts the paper on which the image has been formed by the image forming apparatus is known.

[0003] In a post-processing device equipped with a paper cutting section, when multiple cutting processes are performed in the main scanning direction on the same paper to create small pieces, such as when cutting business cards, each cutting process is performed sequentially based on each cutting process parameter (movement time, number of movement steps, etc.) using the leading edge of the paper before cutting as a reference. Multiple cuts are performed by repeating the cycle of "paper transport," "paper stop," "cut," "paper re-transport," "paper stop," "cut," and so on. During this process, slight deviations from the target movement amount occur during the "paper re-transport" step due to factors such as slippage of the drive roller caused by the paper type. This deviation gradually accumulates over the number of cuts, tending to cause the paper piece cutting position to deviate from the proper position. In other words, the cut size may differ from the set size in the front and back stages of multiple cuts. Figure 11 shows an example of how the cut position deviates from the proper position. In Figure 11, symbol P indicates the paper, symbol Q1 (solid line) indicates the proper position (target position), and symbol R1 (dashed line) indicates the actual cut position.

[0004] A known function is to adjust each cutting position in advance to correct for the accumulated deviation in the movement amount before executing the job. However, because the factors that cause variations in the movement amount that lead to deviations are the paper type and the number of cuts, the deviation conditions differ depending on the paper used in the job to be executed and the job content, and each cutting position must be adjusted in advance for each job, which places a heavy workload on the user.

[0005] Therefore, a configuration has been disclosed in which an image on a sheet is read after cutting to determine whether the cutting process (cutting position) is appropriate (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-180228 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when reading the paper after cutting, a reading device connected downstream of the cutting device is used, but in the case of a cutting process that creates many small pieces, a dedicated transport mechanism is required to stably transport the small pieces to the downstream reading device, which poses a problem of increased costs.If a dedicated transport mechanism is not provided, the small pieces cannot be transported to the reading device, so they must be stored in a dedicated stacker within the cutting device, making it impossible to read images after the cutting process that creates many small pieces. Furthermore, if the user were to manually read the image after cutting into many small pieces, it would be necessary to place each of the small pieces one by one at the image reading position, which would be excessively time-consuming.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a post-processing device that can easily and hassle-freely check the quality of paper after cutting, even when cutting many small pieces of paper such as business cards, and an image forming system equipped with the post-processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The invention described in claim 1 has been made to achieve the above object, In the post-treatment device, A post-processing device that performs post-processing on paper on which an image has been formed, a paper cutting unit that cuts the paper on which the image is formed; a reading unit that reads the paper cut by the paper cutting unit; a determining unit that determines whether the cutting position of the paper cut by the paper cutting unit is good or bad based on the reading result by the reading unit; a cutting control unit that controls cutting of the paper by the paper cutting unit; Equipped with The determining unit determines whether a cutting position of a sheet of paper that has been partially cut by the sheet cutting unit is acceptable or not. death, When a job is set to cut the paper in both the paper conveyance direction and the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and when the paper cutting unit is to perform partial cutting of the paper, the cutting control unit controls the paper cutting unit to perform partial cutting in only one of the directions. It is characterized by the following.

[0010] The invention described in claim 2 is the post-processing device described in claim 1, The reading unit is disposed downstream of the paper cutting unit.

[0011] The invention described in claim 3 is the post-processing device described in claim 1 or 2, The image forming apparatus is characterized by comprising an adjustment unit that adjusts the cutting position based on the determination result by the determination unit.

[0012] The invention described in claim 4 is the post-processing device described in claim 3, An execution unit that executes a job, When a job to cut the paper is set, the determining unit determines whether the cutting position is acceptable or not before the job is executed, the adjustment unit adjusts the cutting position before the job is executed, The execution unit executes a job in which the adjustment of the cutting position by the adjustment unit is reflected.

[0013] The invention described in claim 5 is the post-processing device described in claim 4, The job for cutting the paper is characterized by including a business card creation job in which one sheet of paper is cut into multiple pieces in the paper's conveying direction and in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and multiple cut sheets of the same size are created and discharged.

[0015] Claim 6 The invention described in In an image forming system, an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein post-processing is performed on the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming unit. 5 a post-treatment device according to any one of the preceding claims; The present invention is characterized by comprising: [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, even in the case of producing a large number of small pieces of paper such as business cards, the quality of the paper after cutting can be checked easily and without hassle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a control structure of the image forming system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the cutting unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sheet that has been partially cut. [Figure 5] 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the image forming system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a new correction adjustment selection screen. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of information acquisition processing. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen for using a previously corrected adjustment value. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a corrected adjustment value selection screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to a first modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of how the cutting position deviates from the appropriate position in the prior art. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the image forming system 1 of this embodiment is configured to include an image forming device 10, a relay unit RU, a cutting device 20 and an image reading device 30 as post-processing devices of the present invention, and a paper discharge device 40.

[0020] The image forming apparatus 10 forms a color image by electrophotography based on image data obtained by reading an image from a document or image data received from an external device. The paper on which the image has been formed is discharged to a relay unit RU. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the image forming device 10 is configured to include an operation unit 11, a display unit 12, a document reading unit 13, an image forming unit 14, a paper feeding unit 15, an image forming control unit 16, a memory unit 17, a controller IF (Interface) 18, and an image processing unit 19.

[0021] The operation unit 11 includes a touch panel formed to cover the display screen of the display unit 12, and various operation buttons such as numeric buttons and a start button, and outputs an operation signal to the image formation control unit 16 based on a user's operation.

[0022] The display unit 12 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various screens according to instructions of a display signal input from the image formation control unit 16.

[0023] The document reading unit 13 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder), a scanner, etc., and outputs image data obtained by reading an image of a document to the image formation control unit 16.

[0024] The image forming unit 14 forms an image on a sheet of paper supplied from the paper feed unit 15 based on image data that has been image processed by the image processing unit 19 . The image forming unit 14 is configured with photosensitive drums 141Y, 141M, 141C, and 141K corresponding to the colors yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), an intermediate transfer belt 142, a secondary transfer roller 143, a fixing unit 144, and the like.

[0025] After being uniformly charged, the photosensitive drum 141Y is scanned and exposed to a laser beam based on yellow image data to form an electrostatic latent image, which is then developed by attaching yellow toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 141Y. The photosensitive drums 141M, 141C, and 141K are similar to the photosensitive drum 141Y except for the colors they handle, and therefore, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0026] The toner images of each color formed on the photosensitive drums 141Y, 141M, 141C, and 141K are sequentially transferred (primary transfer) onto the rotating intermediate transfer belt 142. That is, a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 142, in which the toner images of four colors are superimposed. The color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 142 are transferred all at once onto a sheet of paper by a secondary transfer roller 143 (secondary transfer).

[0027] The fixing unit 144 includes a heating roller that heats the paper onto which the color toner image has been transferred, and a pressure roller that presses the paper, and fixes the color toner image onto the paper by applying heat and pressure.

[0028] The paper feed unit 15 includes paper feed trays T11 to T13, and supplies paper to the image forming unit 14. Each of the paper feed trays T11 to T13 stores paper of a paper type and size predetermined for that paper feed tray.

[0029] The image formation control unit 16 is configured to include a CPU, a ROM, and a memory. The CPU reads various processing programs stored in the ROM and, in accordance with the programs, performs centralized control of the operations of each part of the image forming apparatus 10. When cutting the output paper, the CPU also issues an instruction to the cutting device 20 to perform a predetermined cutting process. The ROM is configured from non-volatile semiconductor memory or the like, and stores various processing programs, parameters and files required to execute the programs, and the like. The memory is configured by a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like, and temporarily stores various data such as programs and image data related to various image processing. For example, the image formation control unit 16 functions as a determination unit of the present invention that determines whether the cutting position of the paper cut by the cutting unit 22 is good or bad based on the reading result by the image reading device 30 . For example, the image formation control unit 16 functions as an execution unit of the present invention that executes a job. The image forming control unit 16 also functions as a cutting control unit of the present invention that controls the cutting of the paper by the cutting unit 22 .

[0030] The storage unit 17 is a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or semiconductor memory that stores various data such as programs and image data. The storage unit 17 stores data such as program data and various setting data in a manner that allows the image formation control unit 16 to read and write the data. The storage unit 17 also stores, for example, adjustment values ​​of control parameters (cutting position, etc.) related to the business card production job. These adjustment values ​​are, for example, new correction adjustment values ​​created based on the results of reading by the image reading device 30 and stored as existing correction adjustment values.

[0031] The controller IF 18 receives image data input from an external device.

[0032] The image processing unit 19 performs the necessary image processing on the image data stored in the storage unit 17, the image data obtained by reading an image from an original using the original reading unit 13, and the image data input from an external device, and sends the processed image data to the image forming unit 14. Image processing includes gradation processing, halftone processing, color conversion processing, etc. Gradation processing is a process of converting the gradation values ​​of each pixel of the image data into corrected gradation values ​​so that the density characteristics of the image formed on the paper match the target density characteristics. Halftone processing includes error diffusion processing and screen processing using an ordered dithering method, etc. Color conversion processing is a process of converting each RGB gradation value into each CMYK gradation value.

[0033] The relay unit RU is installed between the image forming device 10 and the cutting device 20, and has a function of synchronizing the transport speed of the paper transported from the image forming device 10.

[0034] The cutting device 20 is a device that performs cutting processing on the paper output from the relay unit RU as needed. Cutting processing is not essential, and the cutting device 20 performs it only when instructed to do so by the image forming device 10. If cutting processing is not required, the cutting device 20 conveys the transported paper directly to the image reading device 30.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1, the cutting device 20 is composed of a conveying section 21, a cutting section 22, a paper discharge roller 23 that discharges paper cut to business card / card size by the cutting section 22 to the business card stacker CS1, and a sub-tray 24 that loads paper to be purged from the cutting device 20.

[0036] The conveying section 21 conveys the paper conveyed from the relay unit RU to the cutting section 22, and conveys the paper that has been cut by the cutting section 22 to the sub-tray 24 or the image reading device 30.

[0037] The cutting unit (sheet cutting unit) 22 uses multiple functional units to perform cutting processing on the conveyed sheets. The cutting unit 22 has multiple slots SL1 to SL4 (four in this embodiment) for installing the functional units. In this embodiment, the slot SL1, which is the most upstream in the conveyance direction, is installed with a unit for top and bottom slitting, slots SL2 and SL3 are installed with units for gutter cutting and slitting, and the most downstream slot SL4 is installed with a unit for CD cutting. Multiple cutting of business cards is performed using the above combinations. Note that by appropriately changing the combination of functional units, it is also possible to perform cutting and paper processing other than business card production, such as four-sided cutting, division cutting, creasing, and perforation. The paper discharge roller 23 is disposed immediately after the most downstream slot SL4.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, each functional unit 22U that constitutes the cutting section 22 is configured to include a lower cutting blade 221 that contacts the paper P during cutting, and an upper cutting blade 222 that presses the lower cutting blade 221 from above to adjust the contact area (contact amount) of the lower cutting blade 221 with the paper P. The upper cutting blade 222 is pivotally supported at one end in the cutting direction (the right end in the drawing), and adjusts the contact area of ​​the lower cutting blade 221 with the paper P according to the amount of rotation.

[0039] When full cutting is performed, as shown in FIG. 3A, the entire upper cutting blade 222 abuts against the lower cutting blade 221 in the cutting direction, so that the entire lower cutting blade 221 abuts against the paper P in the cutting direction. On the other hand, when performing partial cutting to partially cut the paper P, as shown in Figure 3 (B), a part of the upper cutting blade 222 in the cutting direction abuts against the lower cutting blade 221, and a part of the lower cutting blade 221 in the cutting direction abuts against the paper P. As described above, by adjusting the rotation amount of the upper cutting blade 222, the contact area of ​​the lower cutting blade 221 with the paper P in the cutting direction can be adjusted, and therefore the cutting area of ​​the paper P (see symbol E1 in the figure) can be adjusted.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows an example of a sheet P1 that has been partially cut. In this embodiment, partial cutting is performed only in the main scanning direction (direction perpendicular to the conveying direction: CD direction) even when a job (such as a business card production job) is set to cut paper in both the paper conveying direction (FD direction) and the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (CD direction) (see symbol N1 in the figure). This is because cutting in the sub-scanning direction (conveying direction: FD direction) could cause transport problems to downstream devices. However, partial cutting can be performed in the sub-scanning direction if it is a short length (for example, partial cutting only in the first row), as this reduces the risk of transport problems (see symbol N2 in the figure).

[0041] Image reading device 30 is connected after cutting device 20. Image reading device 30 is configured with, for example, a linear image sensor (e.g., a CCD line sensor), an optical system, a light source, etc., and reads the paper cut by cutting unit 22 and outputs the obtained read image to image formation control unit 16 of image forming apparatus 10. In other words, image reading device 30 functions as the reading unit of the present invention.

[0042] The paper discharge device 40 is connected to the rear stage of the image reading device 30, and discharges the paper conveyed from the image reading device 30 to the outside of the machine.

[0043] Next, the operation of the image forming system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 5. The operation shown in Fig. 5 is performed before the start of a business card production job. The business card production job is a job in which one sheet of paper is cut into multiple pieces in the paper transport direction (FD direction) and a direction perpendicular to the transport direction (CD direction), and multiple cut sheets of the same size are created and discharged.

[0044] First, the image forming control unit 16 determines whether or not the user has selected new correction adjustment (step S1). New correction adjustment is a process of acquiring a deviation in the cutting position with the default adjustment value, acquiring a new adjustment value (new correction adjustment value) for correcting the deviation, and correcting (adjusting) the cutting position of the paper by adopting the acquired adjustment value. 6 shows an example of a new correction adjustment selection screen G1 for selecting a new correction adjustment. The new correction adjustment selection screen G1 is displayed on the display unit 12 when a start operation for a business card production job is performed. The new correction adjustment selection screen G1 has a YES button B1 for selecting the new correction adjustment and a NO button B2 for selecting other adjustments. In step S1, when the image formation control unit 16 detects that the user has pressed the YES button B1, it determines that the new correction adjustment has been selected. When the image formation control unit 16 determines that new correction adjustment has been selected (step S1: YES), the image formation control unit 16 proceeds to the next step S2. On the other hand, if the image formation control unit 16 determines that new correction adjustment has not been selected (step S1: NO), the process proceeds to step S6.

[0045] In step S2, the image forming control unit 16 performs information acquisition processing. The information acquisition processing is processing for acquiring information (partial cutting position) necessary for creating new correction adjustment values. The information acquisition processing will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0046] First, the image formation control unit 16 feeds and conveys a designated sheet (a sheet designated in advance to be used in new correction adjustment) (step S21). Next, the image formation control unit 16 causes the cutting unit 22 to partially cut the designated sheet conveyed in step S21 using the default adjustment value, thereby creating a partially cut sheet (test sheet) (step S22). Next, the image formation control unit 16 causes the image reading device 30 to read the partial cutting position of the test paper created in step S22 (step S23). The information read in step S23 (reading result) is notified to the image formation control unit 16. Thereafter, the test paper whose partial cutting position has been read in step S23 is discharged outside the machine by the paper discharge device 40.

[0047] 5, in step S3, the image formation control unit 16 determines whether the test paper, the partial cutting position of which was read in step S23 in Fig. 7, has been discharged to the outside of the machine by the paper discharge device 40. Specifically, when the image formation control unit 16 receives information indicating that discharge is complete from the paper discharge device 40, it determines that the test paper has been discharged to the outside of the machine by the paper discharge device 40. When the image formation control unit 16 determines that the sheet has been discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the sheet discharge device 40 (step S3: YES), the image formation control unit 16 proceeds to the next step S4. On the other hand, if the image formation control unit 16 determines that the sheet has not been discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the sheet discharge device 40 (step S3: NO), the image formation control unit 16 repeats the process of step S3 until the sheet is discharged to the outside of the apparatus.

[0048] In step S4, the image formation control unit 16 determines whether the cutting position of the paper (test paper) that has been partially cut by the cutting unit 22 is acceptable based on the reading result obtained in step S23 of Fig. 7. The image formation control unit 16 determines that the cutting position of the test paper is acceptable if the deviation in the cutting position is within the allowable range, and determines that the cutting position is unacceptable if the deviation is outside the allowable range. If the image forming control unit 16 determines that the cutting position of the test paper is good (step S4: YES), it determines that no correction is necessary, terminates the processing, and starts the job by adopting the default adjustment value without creating a new correction adjustment value. On the other hand, if the image formation control unit 16 determines that the cutting position of the test paper is not correct (step S4: NO), the image formation control unit 16 proceeds to the next step S5.

[0049] In step S5, the image formation control unit 16 creates a new correction adjustment value based on the read result read in step S23 of Fig. 7, and adopts (sets) the new correction adjustment value. Specifically, the image formation control unit 16 creates a new correction adjustment value for the default adjustment value from the difference between the appropriate cutting position and the read result, and adopts the new correction adjustment value to correct (adjust) the cutting position of the paper. The new correction adjustment value created in step S5 is stored in the memory unit 17. By the processing of step S5, the image formation control unit 16 functions as the adjustment unit of the present invention that adjusts the cutting position based on the determination result by the determination unit.

[0050] In step S6, the image forming control unit 16 determines whether or not the user has selected to use the existing correction adjustment values. The existing correction adjustment values ​​are new correction adjustment values ​​that have been created in the past. 8 shows an example of a selection screen G2 for selecting whether to use a previously corrected adjustment value or a current adjustment value. The selection screen G2 for selecting whether to use a previously corrected adjustment value or a current adjustment value is displayed on the display unit 12 when it is detected that the user has pressed the NO button B2 on the new correction adjustment selection screen G1 (see FIG. 6). The already-corrected adjustment value use selection screen G2 is provided with a "Use current adjustment value button B3" for selecting use of the current adjustment value, and a "Use already-corrected adjustment value button B4" for selecting use of the adjustment value (already-corrected adjustment value) stored in the storage unit 17. In step S6, when the image formation control unit 16 detects that the user has pressed the "Use already-corrected adjustment value button B4," it determines that use of the already-corrected adjustment value has been selected. When the image forming control unit 16 determines that the use of the already corrected adjustment value has been selected (step S6: YES), the image forming control unit 16 proceeds to the next step S7. On the other hand, if the image forming control unit 16 determines that the use of the previously corrected adjustment value has not been selected (i.e., that the pressing of the "Use current adjustment value button B3" has been detected) (step S6: NO), it determines that the use of the current adjustment value has been selected, terminates the processing, and starts the job with the current adjustment value (the currently set adjustment value) remaining.

[0051] In step S7, the image formation control unit 16 adopts (sets) the correction adjustment value selected by the user. 9 shows an example of a corrected adjustment value selection screen G3 for selecting a desired corrected adjustment value from the corrected adjustment values ​​stored in the storage unit 17. The corrected adjustment value selection screen G3 is displayed on the display unit 12 when it is detected that the user has pressed the "Use corrected adjustment value button B4" on the corrected adjustment value use selection screen G2 (see FIG. 8). The corrected adjustment value selection screen G3 displays a list of corrected adjustment values ​​stored in the memory unit 17. In the example shown in FIG. 9, four corrected adjustment values, "AJ001," "AJ002," "AJ003," and "AJ004," are displayed in a list. The user can select a desired corrected adjustment value from the corrected adjustment values ​​displayed on the corrected adjustment value selection screen G3. The image formation control unit 16 then uses the corrected adjustment value selected by the user to correct (adjust) the cutting position of the paper.

[0052] After the cutting position is adjusted by the above process, the image forming control unit 16 executes a job that reflects the adjustment of the cutting position.

[0053] As described above, the image forming system 1 according to this embodiment includes a paper cutting unit (cutting unit 22) that cuts paper on which an image has been formed, a reading unit (image reading device 30) that reads the paper cut by the paper cutting unit, and a determination unit (image forming control unit 16) that determines whether the cutting position of the paper cut by the paper cutting unit is acceptable based on the reading result by the reading unit. The determination unit also determines whether the cutting position of the paper that has been partially cut by the paper cutting unit is acceptable. Therefore, according to the image forming system 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to read paper that has been partially cut (paper that has not been completely separated in each cutting process and is in a single sheet), so even if the image reading is performed manually by the user, it is possible to read the paper that has been in a single sheet (paper that is not separated) simply by placing it in the image reading position, and even in the case of creating many small pieces of paper such as business cards, it is possible to easily and hassle-freely check the quality of the paper after cutting.

[0054] Furthermore, in the image forming system 1 according to this embodiment, the reading unit is disposed downstream of the paper cutting unit. Therefore, according to the image forming system 1 of this embodiment, partially cut paper (paper that has been grouped into one sheet) can be stably transported to a reading unit connected downstream of the paper cutting unit, making it possible to read partially cut paper inline, and even in the case of producing many small pieces of paper such as business cards, it is possible to check the quality of the paper after cutting more easily and hassle-free, at low cost, without having to set up a dedicated transport mechanism.

[0055] Moreover, the image forming system 1 according to this embodiment includes an adjustment section (image formation control section 16) that adjusts the cutting position based on the determination result by the determination section. Therefore, according to the image forming system 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to read the paper on which partial cutting has been performed and obtain information on each partial cutting position, so that it is possible to create (new correction) adjustment values ​​from the obtained information on each partial cutting position, and the cutting position of the paper can be appropriately corrected (adjusted).

[0056] Furthermore, the image forming system 1 according to this embodiment is provided with an execution unit (image forming control unit 16) that executes jobs, and when a job to cut paper is set, the judgment unit judges whether the cutting position is acceptable before executing the job, the adjustment unit adjusts the cutting position before executing the job, and the execution unit executes the job reflecting the adjustment of the cutting position made by the adjustment unit. Therefore, according to the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to correct (adjust) the deviation of the cutting position before the execution of the job, and therefore it is possible to perform accurate cutting processing when the job is executed.

[0057] Furthermore, according to the image forming system 1 of this embodiment, the job of cutting paper includes a business card creation job in which a single sheet of paper is cut into multiple pieces in the paper transport direction and in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, and multiple cut sheets of paper of the same size are created and ejected. Therefore, according to the image forming system 1 of this embodiment, even in a business card production job that produces many small pieces of paper, the paper can be read simply by placing a single piece of paper (paper that is not separated) at the image reading position, so that the quality of the paper after cutting can be easily and hassle-freely checked.

[0058] Furthermore, the image forming system 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a cutting control unit (image forming control unit 16) that controls the cutting of paper by the paper cutting unit, and when a job is set to cut paper in both the paper transport direction and a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, the cutting control unit causes the paper cutting unit to perform partial cutting of the paper in only one of the directions (in this embodiment, the direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction: the main scanning direction). Therefore, according to the image forming system 1 of this embodiment, the direction in which partial cutting is performed is limited to either the paper transport direction or a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, thereby reducing the risk of causing transport problems to downstream devices.

[0059] Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on the embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified within the scope of the present invention.

[0060] (Variation 1) For example, in the above embodiment, a configuration in which the image reading device 30 is disposed downstream of the cutting device 20 (cutting unit 22) is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, a configuration in which the image reading device 30 is disposed upstream of the cutting device 20 (cutting unit 22) may be adopted. For the sake of simplicity, the same components as those in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 10, the image forming system 1A according to the first variant is configured to include an image forming device 10, a relay unit RU, an image reading device 30A and a cutting device 20 as post-processing devices of the present invention, and a paper discharge device 40. The image reading device 30A is connected to the front stage of the cutting device 20. The image reading device 30A functions as a reading unit of the present invention.

[0061] In the image forming system 1A according to the first modification, after the partially cut sheet (test sheet) is created, the created test sheet is discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the sheet discharge device 40. Next, the ejected test paper is reset in the paper feeder. Here, the paper feeder may be the paper feeder 15 of the image forming apparatus 10, or a paper feeder (such as a PI inserter) provided in the relay unit RU or the image reading device 30A. If the paper feeder is provided in the image reading device 30A, it may be configured to be able to feed the paper to the path before reading. When resetting the test paper, it is preferable to set it so that the partially cut portion is not at the leading edge in the conveying direction, for stable conveyance. Next, the reset test paper is read by the image reading device 30A and is discharged outside the machine by the paper discharge device 40. The image forming control unit 16 of the image forming device 10 determines whether the cutting position of the test paper is acceptable based on the reading result read by the image reading device 30A. If the cutting position of the test paper is unacceptable, a new correction adjustment value is created and the new correction adjustment value is used to correct (adjust) the cutting position of the paper. After the cutting position is adjusted by the above process, the image forming control unit 16 executes a job that reflects the adjustment of the cutting position. As a result, the present invention can also be implemented in the image forming system 1A according to the first modification.

[0062] (Other variations) In the above embodiment, after determining whether the cutting position of a sheet of paper that has been partially cut by the cutting unit 22 is acceptable, if it is determined that the cutting position is unacceptable, the newly created correction adjustment value is adopted to adjust the cutting position, but this is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to only determine whether the cutting position of a sheet of paper that has been partially cut by the cutting unit 22 is acceptable.

[0063] In the above embodiment, partial cutting is performed only in the main scanning direction, or in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, but this is not limiting. For example, partial cutting may be performed only in the sub-scanning direction.

[0064] Furthermore, the previously corrected adjustment value use selection screen G2 (see FIG. 8) may be provided with a "Use default adjustment value button" in addition to the "Use current adjustment value button B3" and the "Use previously corrected adjustment value button B4." When the user selects the "Use default adjustment value button," the job is executed using the default adjustment value (the adjustment value manually set in adjustment mode).

[0065] It is also possible to implement the present invention using only the cutting device 20 and image reading device 30, which are post-processing devices of the present invention, by configuring the cutting device 20 to include a control unit and having the control unit function as the determination unit, adjustment unit, execution unit, and cutting control unit of the present invention. In this case, the cutting device 20 should also include a memory unit that stores adjustment values ​​for control parameters (cutting position, etc.) related to the business card production job.

[0066] In addition, the detailed configuration and operation of each device constituting the image forming system can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1. Image forming system 10 Image forming device 11 Control section 12 Display section 13 Document reading unit 14 Image forming unit 15 Paper feed section 16 Image formation control unit (determination unit, adjustment unit, execution unit, cutting control unit) 17 Memory section 18 Controller Interface 19 Image processing section RU Relay Unit 20 Cutting device (post-processing device) 21 Conveyor 22 Cutting section (paper cutting section) SL1~SL4 slots 22U functional unit 221 Lower cutting blade 222 Upper cutting blade 23 Paper ejection roller 24 Sub-tray CS1 Business Card Stacker 30 Image reading device (post-processing device: reading unit) 40 Paper ejection device

Claims

1. A post-processing device that performs post-processing on paper on which an image has been formed, a paper cutting unit that cuts the paper on which the image is formed; a reading unit that reads the paper cut by the paper cutting unit; a determining unit that determines whether the cutting position of the paper cut by the paper cutting unit is good or bad based on the reading result by the reading unit; a cutting control unit that controls cutting of the paper by the paper cutting unit; Equipped with the determining unit determines whether a cutting position of a sheet of paper that has been partially cut by the sheet cutting unit is acceptable; The cutting control unit is characterized in that when a job is set to cut the paper in both the paper transport direction and a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, and when the paper cutting unit is caused to perform partial cutting of the paper, it performs partial cutting in only one of the directions.

2. The post-processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the reading unit is disposed downstream of the paper cutting unit.

3. 3. The post-processing device according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustment unit that adjusts the cutting position based on the determination result by the determination unit.

4. An execution unit that executes a job, When a job to cut the paper is set, the determining unit determines whether the cutting position is acceptable or not before the job is executed, the adjustment unit adjusts the cutting position before the job is executed, The post-processing device according to claim 3 , wherein the execution unit executes a job in which the adjustment of the cutting position by the adjustment unit is reflected.

5. 5. The post-processing device according to claim 4, wherein the job for cutting the paper includes a business card production job for cutting one sheet of paper into multiple pieces in the paper transport direction and in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, and creating and discharging multiple cut sheets of the same size.

6. an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; a post-processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which performs post-processing on the paper on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit; An image forming system comprising:

Images