Information processing device, control method, program, and image forming system

Abstract

To ensure that when operation to set the conveyance speeds of individual conveyance units is performed, the conveyance speed of each conveyance unit is adjusted so that the conveyance speed of an upstream conveyance unit and the conveyance speed of a downstream conveyance unit match each other in a conveyance path.SOLUTION: Provided is an information processing device for controlling an image forming system equipped with a first conveyance unit that conveys a recording medium and a second conveyance unit located downstream of the first conveyance unit in the recording medium conveyance path, the information processing device comprising: acceptance means for accepting an indication for setting the conveyance speed of the first conveyance unit; and control means for setting the conveyance speed of the first conveyance unit to the image forming system on the basis of the setting indication and setting the conveyance speed of the second conveyance unit to the image forming system on the basis of the indication for setting the conveyance speed of the first conveyance unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Information processing device, control method, program, and image forming system Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] In an image forming apparatus used for production printing, there are a wide variety of adjustable items, so setting optimal values ​​for each setting item is a cumbersome task for the user.

[0003] Therefore, Patent Document 1 proposes a system that allows intuitive settings such as paper type for an image forming apparatus to be made from software installed in an external device.

[0004] The setting items include, for example, the name, size, and basis weight of the paper used for each paper feed tray, as well as adjustment values ​​for the transfer voltage and image position.

[0005] In addition, the image forming apparatus can be connected to a paper feeder to expand the amount of paper that can be fed (number of refills) and a post-processing apparatus to perform various finishing processes on the paper. The image forming apparatus, paper feeder, and post-processing apparatus each have a motor for transporting paper. The paper feeder and post-processing apparatus can change the transport speed of the paper transport motor to enable connection with multiple types of image forming apparatuses.

[0006] The image forming device described in Patent Document 2 acquires multiple paper transport speeds for the receiving section of the image forming unit, the discharge section of the image forming unit, the paper feed unit, and the post-processing unit when the image forming device is turned on, and then indicates the maximum transport speed at which paper can be transported in common for each unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-86766 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-065145 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] There are multiple transport units along the paper transport path, and the transport speed must be set for each unit. If the transport speed settings between units are inconsistent, the paper may become wrinkled or even jam during transport.

[0009] For example, if the speed of a downstream unit on the conveying path is too fast compared to the conveying speed of an upstream unit, wavy marks may appear on the printed material.

[0010] In this case, the above symptoms can be improved by adjusting the setting value so that the speed of the downstream unit is lower.

[0011] However, to make such an adjustment, the user must check the settings of the conveying speed of the upstream unit in the conveying path and adjust the conveying speed of the downstream unit so that the conveying speeds of the upstream unit and downstream unit are consistent.

[0012] Furthermore, if the transport speed of one of the multiple transport units is changed, the transport speed settings of the units downstream of that unit must also be changed, otherwise a mismatch in transport speeds between the units will occur. Therefore, the user must also adjust the transport speed settings of the units downstream of the unit whose transport speed has been changed.

[0013] It is difficult for users to understand that they need to make adjustments taking the above into consideration, and it is difficult for users to make appropriate settings using the conventional method of setting each transport unit individually.In addition, it is time-consuming for users to adjust the transport speed settings not only for the unit whose transport speed they want to change, but also for downstream units.

[0014] The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2 discloses that the conveying speeds of all units are set collectively when the power is turned on, but does not take into consideration the operation when a change in the conveying speed setting of an individual unit is accepted. The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2 also has the above problem when a change in the conveying speed setting of an individual unit is accepted.

[0015] Therefore, the present invention provides: A transport unit is selected by the user via a screen for selecting one of the transport units. without changing the sheet conveying speed by at least a first conveying unit located upstream of the second conveying unit based on an instruction to change the sheet conveying speed by the second conveying unit, Selected by the user The object is to change the sheet conveying speed by the second conveying unit and the sheet conveying speed by the third conveying unit located downstream of the second conveying unit based on the above instruction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes the following configuration: a first transport unit that transports a sheet, a second transport unit that is located downstream of the first transport unit in a transport path of the sheet, and a third transport unit that is located downstream of the second transport unit in the transport path of the sheet. A plurality of transport units including An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an image forming system having A transport unit is selected by the user via a screen for selecting one of the plurality of transport units. a receiving unit that receives an instruction from a user to change the conveying speed of the sheet by the second conveying unit, and a receiving unit that receives an instruction from a user to change the conveying speed of the sheet by the first conveying unit based on the instruction, without causing the image forming system to change the conveying speed of the sheet by the first conveying unit, and selected by the user The image forming system includes a control unit that changes the conveying speed of the sheet by the second conveying unit and the conveying speed of the sheet by the third conveying unit based on the instruction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the above configuration, A transport unit is selected by the user via a screen for selecting one of the transport units. without changing the sheet conveying speed by at least a first conveying unit located upstream of the second conveying unit based on an instruction to change the sheet conveying speed by the second conveying unit, Selected by the user The sheet conveying speed of the second conveying unit and the sheet conveying speed of the third conveying unit located downstream of the second conveying unit are changed based on the instruction. can . [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 101 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a print control apparatus 110 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a sheet transport unit in the image forming system 100 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5(A)] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for the transport speed of the transport unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5(B)] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for the transport speed of the transport unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5(C)] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for the transport speed of the transport unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5(D)] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for the transport speed of the transport unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 6 is a flowchart showing a process flow for setting the transport speed of the transport unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the transport order, settable ranges, and setting values ​​of a plurality of transport units according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for the transport speed of the transport unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for a conveying speed according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] 11 is a flowchart showing a display processing flow of a settable range 901 according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[0021] <Embodiment 1> (Overall composition) FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a system according to the first embodiment.

[0022] In this embodiment, a print control device 110 is connected to an image forming system 100. The print control device 110 is also connected to a client computer 120 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0023] The image forming system 100 and the print control device 110 are connected via an image video cable 130 and a control cable 131. In this way, the print control device 110 communicates with the image forming system 100 via a communication line.

[0024] The client computer 120 and the print control device 110 are communicably connected via a local area network (LAN) 140 using an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable or the like.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 101 may be communicably connected directly to the client computer 120 via the LAN 140 without going through the print control apparatus 110.

[0026] The image forming system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 101. The image forming apparatus 101 can be connected to a paper feeder 102 and a post-processing apparatus 103 to expand the amount of paper that can be fed (number of refills). The post-processing apparatus is, for example, an apparatus for performing finishing processes on sheets (recording media), such as a device for sorting sheets, a folding device for folding sheets, a stapler for stapling sheets, and a paper discharge device for discharging sheets. In this embodiment, the image forming system 100 refers to a configuration in which only the image forming apparatus 101, or an image forming apparatus 101 connected to optional devices such as the paper feeder 102 and post-processing apparatus 103, is referred to as the image forming system 100.

[0027] The client computer 120 is an information processing device that operates an application such as a printer driver to input print data and issue print instructions to the image forming system 100. The print control device 110 and the image forming device 101 work together to perform image processing of the input print data.

[0028] The print control device 110 has a controller unit 111 and a display unit 112. The controller unit 111 of the print control device 110 is an information processing device that can perform rendering processing of print data input from the client computer 120. For example, the controller unit 111 can interpret a drawing command in PDL format input from the client computer 120, draw (render or rasterize) a raster image, and output it to the image forming system 100. However, the rendering processing may also be performed by the image forming device 101 of the image forming system 100.

[0029] The display unit 112 displays an operation screen of the print control device 110. A user can operate the operation screen by operating a keyboard or pointing device as shown in the figure. The user can also operate the operation screen displayed on the display unit 112 to control the input of print data (print jobs) from the print control device 110 to the image forming system 100.

[0030] The image forming apparatus 101 is, for example, a multifunction peripheral having a scanning function, a printing function, etc. However, the scanning function is not an essential component. The image forming apparatus 101 performs image processing based on print data received from a client computer 120 or a print control apparatus 110. The image forming apparatus 101 also copies and prints out data read by a scanner unit 213, or sends the data to a shared folder.

[0031] The image forming apparatus 101 receives various instructions from a user via an operation panel 105. The operation panel 105 displays various information such as the execution status of a job. The operation panel 105 also displays a setting screen, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 8. The image forming apparatus 101 also has a paper discharge unit that discharges paper on which an image has been formed.

[0032] (Configuration of image forming apparatus 101) Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 101 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0033] The controller 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201. The CPU 201 loads a control program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 203 or an external storage device 211 into a RAM (Random Access Memory) 202. The CPU 201 executes the loaded program and comprehensively controls various devices connected to a system bus 204.

[0034] CPU 201 outputs image signals to print engine 210 (printing unit) connected via print interface 207, and receives image signals input from scanner unit 104 connected via read interface 212. CPU 201 also controls paper feed unit 401 connected to print engine 210 and acquires the status of paper feed unit 401 via print interface 207.

[0035] Furthermore, the CPU 201 is capable of performing communication processing with the print control device 110 via the LAN controller 206 and the control cable 131. For example, the CPU 201 receives a command to set the transport speed for the transport unit of the image forming device 101 via the LAN controller 206. In addition to this, the image forming device 101 can communicate various types of control information via the LAN controller 206 and the control cable 131.

[0036] The RAM 202 mainly functions as a main memory, a work area, etc. for the CPU 201 .

[0037] The external storage device 211 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an IC card. A disk controller (DKC) 208 controls access to the external storage device 211. The external storage device 211 is used to store application programs, font data, form data, etc., to temporarily spool print jobs, and to store jobs for controlling the spooled jobs externally. The external storage device 211 also holds image data input from a scanner unit 213 and image data of print jobs as BOX data, and is used to store BOX data to be referenced from a network or to be printed.

[0038] The operation panel 105 is connected to the controller 200 via an operation panel interface 205, and allows the user to input various information using software keys or hardware keys.

[0039] The nonvolatile memory 209 stores various setting information set from the operation panel 105 or from a terminal via a network.

[0040] The video interface 214 receives image data from the print control device 110 via the image video cable 130. This image data is, for example, a raster image drawn by the print control device 110 based on PDL data input to the print control device 110.

[0041] The paper feed interface 215 controls the paper feed process from the paper feed unit 401 of the image forming apparatus 101. The paper feed interface 215 also functions as a communication interface for communication between the image forming apparatus 101 and the paper feed device 102. In this embodiment, the controller 200 of the image forming apparatus 101 receives an instruction to set the transport speed of the transport unit in the paper feed device 102. An example will be described in which the controller 200 sets the transport speed of the transport unit for the paper feed device 102 via the paper feed interface 215. The configuration is not limited to this, and the paper feed device 102 may directly receive an instruction to set the transport speed of the transport unit and set the transport speed.

[0042] The connection mechanism 216 is a connection mechanism for physically connecting the image forming apparatus 101 and the paper feeding apparatus 102 .

[0043] The post-processing device interface 217 functions as a communication interface for communication between the image forming device 101 and the post-processing device 103. In this embodiment, the controller 200 of the image forming device 101 receives an instruction to set the conveying speed of the conveying unit in the post-processing device 103. An example will be described in which the controller 200 sets the conveying speed of the conveying unit for the post-processing device 103 via the post-processing device interface 217. The configuration is not limited to this, and the post-processing device 103 may directly receive an instruction to set the conveying speed of the conveying unit and set the conveying speed.

[0044] The connection mechanism 218 is a connection mechanism for physically connecting the image forming apparatus 101 and the paper feeding apparatus 102 .

[0045] (Configuration of print control device 110) Next, the hardware configuration of the print control device 110 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0046] The controller 300 has a CPU 301, which loads a control program stored in a ROM 303 or an external storage device 309 into a RAM 302. The CPU 301 executes the program loaded into the RAM 302 to comprehensively control various devices connected to a system bus 304.

[0047] The CPU 301 can also communicate with the image forming apparatus 101 via a LAN controller 306 and a control cable 131. The CPU 301 can also perform communication processing with the client computer 120 and the image forming apparatus 101 on the network via a LAN controller 307 and a LAN 140.

[0048] The RAM 302 mainly functions as the main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 301. The external storage device 309 is composed of a HDD, an IC card, etc. A disk controller (DKC) 308 controls access to the external storage device 309. The external storage device 309 stores application programs, font data, form data, etc., and temporarily spools print jobs. The external storage device 309 is also used as a job storage area for saving raster images obtained by rasterizing PDL data included in spooled jobs.

[0049] The video interface 310 transmits a raster image to the image forming apparatus 101 via the image video cable 130. The keyboard controller (KBC) 311 performs processing related to input of information from the keyboard 114 and pointing device 115. The operation unit interface 305 controls the content displayed on the display unit 112. The display unit 112 displays operation buttons and the like that allow the user to input various information. The display unit 112 also displays a setting screen, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 9.

[0050] (Sheet transport path of image forming system 100) The sheet transport path in the image forming system 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0051] The image forming unit 400 includes a paper feed unit 401 , developing stations 404 to 407 , a conveying path 403 , an intermediate transfer belt 408 , and a transfer unit 409 .

[0052] The sheet feed deck 401 stores various sheets (recording media). Each sheet feed deck can separate only the topmost sheet from the stored sheets and transport it to a transport path 403. The sheet feed deck 401 may be the sheet feed deck of the image forming apparatus 101, or may be the sheet feed deck of a sheet feed device 102 attached to the image forming apparatus 101.

[0053] Developing stations 404 to 407 form toner images using color toners of Y, M, C, and K, respectively, to form color images. The toner images formed here are primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer belt 408, which rotates clockwise in the drawing, and the toner images are transferred by a transfer unit 409 to a sheet conveyed from a conveying path 403. The sheet to which the toner images have been transferred is conveyed to a fixing unit 410.

[0054] The fixing section 410 includes a first fixing unit 411 , a second fixing unit 413 , a conveying path 412 , a conveying path 414 , a conveying path 415 , a sheet inverting path 416 , and a double-sided inverting path 417 .

[0055] The first fixing unit 411 fixes the toner image transferred onto the sheet. The first fixing unit 411 includes a pressure roller and a heating roller. As the sheet passes between these rollers, the toner melted by the heat of the heating roller is pressed onto the sheet.

[0056] The sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 411 is transported to a transport path 415 via a transport path 412. If the type of sheet requires further toner melting and pressure bonding for fixing, the sheet is transported to a second fixing unit 413 via a transport path 414, where additional toner melting and pressure bonding are performed. Thereafter, the sheet is transported to a transport path 415 via the transport path 414.

[0057] When the image forming mode is double-sided, the sheet is conveyed to a sheet inversion path 416, and after being inverted, the sheet is conveyed to a double-sided inversion path 417, where the image on the second side is transferred in a transfer unit 409.

[0058] In this embodiment, the transport speed can be set individually for each of the transport units 421 to 425 shown in Fig. 4. The transport units 421 to 425 each indicate an area to which the setting of the transport speed is applied when the setting is made.

[0059] The transport unit 421 is a transport mechanism in a transport area upstream of the first fixing unit 411. In this embodiment, the direction from which the sheet is transported in the transport path along which the sheet is transported is called the upstream of the transport path. The direction to which the sheet is transported in the transport path along which the sheet is transported is called the downstream of the transport path. The transport unit 422 is a transport mechanism in a transport area including the first fixing unit 411. The transport unit 423 is a transport mechanism in a transport area including the second fixing unit 413. The transport unit 424 is a transport mechanism in a transport area including the transport path 412. The transport unit 425 is a transport mechanism in a transport area including the transport path 415 and the sheet reversal path 416.

[0060] The transport speed of the motor in each transport unit can be set individually by the user, as will be described later.

[0061] The division of the transport units is not limited to the example in FIG. 4, and can be arbitrarily divided. Also, in the example in FIG. 4, an example has been described in which the transport speed is set for each transport unit for the transport path from transport unit 421 onwards, but this is not limiting. Transport units may also be set for transport paths further upstream. For example, the transport mechanism of transport path 403 that transports sheets from paper feed unit 401 may be set as a transport unit, or the transport mechanism for performing transfer processing on intermediate transfer belt 408 may be set as a transport unit.

[0062] (Setting of conveyance speed of image forming system 100 in print control device 110) 5A to 5D, a procedure for setting the transfer speed of each transport unit in the image forming system 100 using a setting application installed in the print control device 110 will be described. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the setting application is installed in the print control device 110, but the setting application may also be installed in the client computer 120. In this case, the user can set the transfer speed of each transport unit in the image forming system 100 from the setting application on the client computer 120.

[0063] When a user operates the print control device 110 to launch a setting application, a paper feed setting screen 530 shown in FIG. 5A is displayed on the display unit 112. The paper feed setting screen 530 allows the user to set the type of paper to be stored in each paper feed unit 401 of the image forming system 100. In this embodiment, when the setting application is launched, the current setting values ​​set in the image forming system 100 for each setting item, which will be described later, are acquired. However, the timing and content of acquiring the current setting values ​​are not limited to this. For example, when the transport setting screen 520, which will be described later, is displayed, the current setting values ​​of at least the transport unit for which setting values ​​are set on the transport setting screen 520 and transport units located downstream thereof may be acquired. In this way, the table 700 in FIG. 7 is updated based on the setting values ​​acquired from the image forming system 100.

[0064] When the user selects the paper list display button 531 displayed on the paper feed setting screen 530, a paper list 500 is displayed, which shows the types of paper that can be set for each paper feed unit. The paper list 500 may be stored in advance in the external storage device 309 of the print control device 110, or may be acquired by the print control device 110 from the image forming system 100. The timing for acquiring the paper list 500 may be, but is not limited to, when the print control device 110 is started up, when the setting application is started up, or when an instruction to display the paper list 500 is issued.

[0065] Next, when the user selects one paper type from the paper list 500 and presses the edit button 503, an edit screen 510 is displayed. In the example of Fig. 5(B), when the user selects "Plain Paper_Adjustment" 502 from the paper list 500 and presses the edit button 503, an edit screen 510 is displayed for making settings when printing using "Plain Paper_Adjustment" 502.

[0066] The editing screen 510 includes a paper name field 511, a basis weight field, and a selection screen 513. The user can select the setting item they wish to set from the selection screen 513. The settings made for the setting item selected by the user are applied when printing on the paper displayed in the paper name field 511. In this way, according to this embodiment, the user can make print settings for each type of paper. In this embodiment, the user can set the transport speed of the transport unit for each type of paper.

[0067] A list of parameter setting items for printing using the selected paper is displayed on selection screen 513. These setting items include adjustment of the toner amount, adjustment of transfer voltage, adjustment of image printing position on the sheet, adjustment of margin position, adjustment of sheet conveyance speed, and settings for post-processing (punching, stapling, folding), etc.

[0068] In the example of FIG. 5(C), "paper transport adjustment of pre-fixing transport section" 514 is a setting item for setting the sheet transport speed of transport unit 421, which was described with reference to FIG. 4. Also, "paper transport adjustment of first fixing section" is a setting item for setting the transport speed of transport unit 422, which was described with reference to FIG. 4. Also, "paper transport adjustment of second fixing section" is a setting item for setting the transport speed of transport unit 423, which was described with reference to FIG. 4. Also, "paper transport adjustment of bypass section" is a setting item for setting the transport speed of transport unit 424, which was described with reference to FIG. 4. Also, "paper transport adjustment of reversing / discharging section" is a setting item for setting the transport speed of transport unit 425, which was described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0069] When the user selects a desired setting item from the selection screen 513 and selects the edit button 512, the screen transitions to a transport setting screen 520. The name of the setting item to be set is displayed in the title 521. In other words, the name of the setting item selected on the selection screen 513 is displayed.

[0070] The input unit 522 is an input field for inputting an adjustment value for the conveying speed. This adjustment value indicates how much to increase or decrease the set value, based on the set value currently set in the image forming system 100. This adjustment value indicates the amount by which the set value for the conveying speed of the conveying unit is changed. For example, when "6" is input into the input unit 522, this means that the new set value is a value obtained by increasing the set value currently set in the image forming system 100 by 6. In this embodiment, the input unit 522 is configured to input an increase or decrease value (relative value) relative to the currently set value, but this is not limited thereto. The input unit 522 may also be configured to input a new set value (absolute value). The CPU 301 functions as a reception unit that receives an instruction to set the conveying speed of the conveying unit via the conveying setting screen 520.

[0071] The adjustment value displayed in the input section 522 can be changed by pressing the minus button 523 or the plus button 524. When the minus button 523 is pressed, the numerical value displayed in the input section 522 is incremented by 1. When the plus button 524 is pressed, the numerical value displayed in the input section 522 is incremented by 1. When the numerical value is changed by "1", the conveying speed of the motor belonging to the unit is changed by a predetermined speed. Note that the user may be allowed to directly input the adjustment value into the input section 522 using the pointing device 115 or the keyboard 114.

[0072] Here, when the setting instruction for the conveying speed of the target conveying unit 421 (paper conveyance in the pre-fixing conveying section) is confirmed by pressing OK button 527, the conveying speed of conveying unit 421 is set for image forming system 100 based on the instruction. At the same time, the conveying speeds of the conveying units downstream of conveying unit 421 selected by the user are set for image forming system 100 based on the setting instruction. In the example of Fig. 4, the downstream conveying units are conveying unit 422 (paper conveyance in the first fixing section), conveying unit 423 (paper conveyance in the second fixing section), conveying unit 424 (paper conveyance in the bypass section), and conveying unit 425 (paper conveyance in the reversing / paper ejection section).

[0073] According to this configuration, in response to an instruction to adjust the conveying speed of the conveying unit located upstream on the conveying path, the conveying speed of the conveying unit located downstream on the conveying path is automatically adjusted.

[0074] Therefore, even if the user is not aware of it, the consistency between the transport unit for which the user has set the transport speed and the transport units further downstream can be maintained. Also, when adjusting the transport speed of one transport unit, the user can be saved the trouble of having to set the transport speed of the downstream units.

[0075] Applicable range 526 displayed on transport setting screen 520 displays a list of other setting items (other transport units) whose settings will be changed in response to input of an adjustment value into input section 522. Applicable range 526 is information indicating that the transport speed of a downstream transport unit will be set based on the setting instruction for the transport speed of the selected transport unit. In the example of FIG. 5(D), applicable range 526 indicates that the adjustment value input into input section 522 is also applied to the paper transport adjustment of the first fixing unit, the paper transport adjustment of the second fixing unit, the paper transport adjustment of the bypass unit, and the paper transport adjustment of the reversing / paper ejection unit.

[0076] When OK button 527 is pressed, the adjustment value input into input unit 522 is applied to image forming apparatus 101. The content displayed in application range 526 and the method of determining application to other setting items will be described later using the flowchart in FIG. 6. The transport unit to which the adjustment value input into input unit 522 is applied is identified by CPU 301 in S607 and S608 in FIG. 6. CPU 301 performs display control to display the name of the setting item corresponding to the identified transport unit in application range 526.

[0077] When the cancel button 528 is pressed, the transport setting screen 520 is closed without applying the adjustment value input to the input unit 522 to the image forming apparatus 101. Note that the transport setting screen 520 has been described using the paper transport adjustment 514 of the pre-fixing transport unit as an example, but a similar screen is also displayed when setting other setting items.

[0078] (Transport speed setting flow) The process of setting the transport speed performed via the transport setting screen 520 described with reference to Fig. 5(D) will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 6. The process shown in the flowchart in Fig. 6 is achieved by the CPU 301 executing the program loaded in the RAM 302 described above. In this embodiment, the flow shown in Fig. 6 starts when the edit button 512 is selected after a setting item has been selected on the edit screen 510 shown in Fig. 5(C).

[0079] In step S601, the CPU 301 displays the transport setting screen 520. The CPU 301 acquires the setting item selected on the selection screen 513 and displays it in the title 521.

[0080] In step S602, the CPU 301 identifies setting items that exist downstream on the conveying path from the setting item selected by the user, by referring to a table 700 shown in Fig. 7. The table 700 in Fig. 7 may be stored in the external storage device 309 of the print control device 110, or may be stored in the external storage device 211 of the image forming device 101.

[0081] 7, a setting item column 701 indicates the name of a setting item. A conveyance sequence 702 is an item to which a larger integer value is assigned as the setting item for a unit located downstream on the conveyance path.

[0082] The paper transport adjustment for the pre-fixing transport section is a setting item for transport unit 421, and is assigned a value of "1" indicating that it is the most upstream unit on the transport path. The paper transport adjustment for the first fixing section is a setting item for transport unit 422 shown in FIG. 4, and is assigned a value of "2" indicating that it is the second unit from the upstream of the transport path. The paper transport adjustment for the second fixing section is a setting item for transport unit 423, and is assigned a value of "3" indicating that it is the third unit from the upstream of the transport path. The paper transport adjustment for the bypass section is a setting item for transport unit 424, and is assigned a value of "4" indicating that it is the fourth unit from the upstream of the transport path. The paper transport adjustment for the reversing / paper ejection section is a setting item for transport unit 425, and is assigned a value of "5" indicating that it is the fifth unit from the upstream of the transport path.

[0083] The lower limit column 703 indicates the lower limit of the setting value that can be set for the setting item, and the upper limit column 704 indicates the upper limit of the setting value that can be set for the setting item.

[0084] The setting value column 705 indicates the setting value currently set for the setting item. The CPU 301 refers to the above-mentioned table 700 and compares the selected setting item column 701 with the conveyance sequence 702 to identify setting items that exist downstream of the selected setting item.

[0085] For example, when the user selects "Pre-fixing conveyance adjustment" (transport unit 421), the setting items of the transport units downstream are identified as follows: CPU 301 uses Table 7 to identify the setting items of transport units having a transport order value greater than the transport order "1" associated with "Pre-fixing conveyance adjustment" (transport unit 421). CPU 301 identifies "First fixing unit paper transport adjustment" (transport unit 422), "Second fixing unit paper transport adjustment" (transport unit 423), "Bypass unit paper transport adjustment" (transport unit 424), and "Reverse / Discharge unit paper transport adjustment" (transport unit 425).

[0086] In S603, CPU 301 determines whether or not there is a downstream setting item acquired in S602. If there is a downstream setting item (Yes in S603), the process proceeds to S604. If there is no downstream setting item (No in S603), the process proceeds to S605.

[0087] In S604, the CPU 301 displays the downstream setting items acquired in S602 in the application range 526. In the example of Fig. 5D, the downstream setting items acquired in S602, "Paper transport adjustment of the first fixing unit," "Paper transport adjustment of the second fixing unit," "Paper transport adjustment of the bypass unit," and "Paper transport adjustment of the reversing / paper ejection unit," are displayed.

[0088] In S605, CPU 301 determines whether or not OK button 527 has been pressed. If OK button 527 has been pressed (Yes in S605), the process proceeds to S606. If OK button 527 has not been pressed (No in S605), the process proceeds to S609.

[0089] In S609, CPU 301 determines whether or not cancel button 528 has been pressed. If cancel button 528 has been pressed (Yes in S609), this flowchart ends. If cancel button 528 has not been pressed (No in S609), the process returns to S605 and waits for OK button 527 or cancel button 528 to be pressed.

[0090] Meanwhile, in S606, CPU 301 acquires the value input to input unit 522 and updates the setting value of image forming apparatus 101. For example, if "6" is input as the adjustment value to input unit 522, the adjustment value "6" is added to the setting value listed in setting value column 705 of table 700. For example, if the current setting value is "-5", the adjustment value "6" is added to obtain a new setting value of "+1". With the new setting value obtained in this way, the setting value in setting value column 705 for the paper transport adjustment of the pre-fixing transport unit is updated.

[0091] In S607, CPU 301 determines whether or not there is a downstream setting item acquired in S602. If there is a downstream setting item (Yes in S607), the process proceeds to S608. If there is no downstream setting item (No in S607), the process ends this flowchart.

[0092] In S608, CPU 301 also applies the adjustment value input to input unit 522 to the setting values ​​of each downstream setting item identified in S602. For example, if an adjustment value of "6" is input to input unit 522, the setting values ​​are also changed for the setting items "Paper transport adjustment of first fixing unit," "Paper transport adjustment of second fixing unit," "Paper transport adjustment of bypass unit," and "Paper transport adjustment of reversing / paper ejection unit."

[0093] That is, for "First Fixing Unit Paper Transport Adjustment," if the current setting is "0," an adjustment value of "6" is added, making the new setting "+6." For "Second Fixing Unit Paper Transport Adjustment," if the current setting is "-10," an adjustment value of "6" is added, making the new setting "-4." For "Bypass Unit Paper Transport Adjustment," if the current setting is "+30," an adjustment value of "6" is added, making the new setting "+36." For "Reverse / Discharge Unit Paper Transport Adjustment," if the current setting is "+15," an adjustment value of "6" is added, making the new setting "+21."

[0094] In this embodiment, for the setting items of the transport unit specified by the user, the difference (adjustment value) between the setting value before the user makes the setting and the setting value after the user makes the setting is obtained. Then, the adjustment value is added to the setting value of the transport unit located downstream of the transport unit selected by the user on the transport path, thereby updating the setting value of the downstream transport unit. The method of updating the setting value of the downstream transport unit is not limited to this, and the setting value of the downstream transport unit may be updated so that the setting value set for the transport unit specified by the user and the setting value of the transport unit located downstream on the transport path are the same. In other words, the setting value of the transport unit located downstream on the transport path may be updated using an absolute setting value rather than a relative value like the adjustment value described above.

[0095] In this way, when the update of the transport speed settings for the transport units downstream of the transport unit corresponding to the setting item selected by the user is completed, the CPU 301 ends this flowchart.

[0096] The updated setting values ​​are transmitted from the print control device 110 to the image forming system 100. The image forming system 100 applies the setting contents received from the print control device 110 to the settings of each transport unit.

[0097] According to the above configuration, in response to an instruction to adjust the conveying speed of a conveying unit (first conveying unit) located upstream on the conveying path, the conveying speed of a conveying unit (second conveying unit) located downstream on the conveying path is automatically adjusted.

[0098] Therefore, even if the user is not aware of it, the consistency between the transport unit for which the user has set the transport speed and the transport units further downstream can be maintained. Also, when adjusting the transport speed of one transport unit, the user can be saved the trouble of having to set the transport speed of the downstream units.

[0099] Furthermore, according to the setting value update process described using Figure 6, the speed of a transport unit located upstream on the transport path from the transport unit for which the user has instructed the setting value to be updated is not updated in conjunction with the user updating the setting value.

[0100] 4, when a user instructs to update the setting value of transport unit 422, the setting values ​​of transport units 423, 424, and 425, which are located downstream of transport unit 422, are automatically updated based on the instruction. On the other hand, the setting value of the transport speed of transport unit 421, which is located upstream of transport unit 422, whose setting value has been instructed to be updated, in the sheet transport path, is not changed based on the user's setting instruction for transport unit 422.

[0101] Therefore, the user can adjust the transport speed of only some of the transport units among the plurality of transport units.

[0102] 4, if there is a mismatch in the conveying speed between conveying units 421 and 422, causing problems such as wrinkles on the sheet, it is possible to adjust the setting of the conveying speed of conveying unit 422 while maintaining the setting of the conveying speed of conveying unit 421. Furthermore, if the conveying speeds of conveying unit 422 and the subsequent conveying units 423 to 425 are consistent, the conveying speeds are updated by the same value, so it is possible to maintain the consistent state of the conveying speeds.

[0103] For example, even if the actual transport speed relative to the set value of the transport unit 421 changes due to aging or the like of the transport unit 421, it is possible to make the transport speeds of all the transport units consistent. That is, by adjusting the transport speeds of the transport units 422 and onward collectively as described above, it is possible to make the transport speeds of all the transport units consistent.

[0104] On the other hand, in the conventional method of setting the same setting value for all conveying units at once, if the actual conveying speed of just one unit changes relative to the set value due to deterioration over time or the like, it is not possible to eliminate the inconsistency in conveying speeds along the entire conveying path.

[0105] According to this embodiment, even in such a case, it is possible to set the transport speed of each of the plurality of transport units individually, thereby eliminating the inconsistency in the transport speed of the entire transport path.

[0106] In addition, the user may be able to switch between enabling and disabling the function of automatically adjusting the set value of the conveying speed of the downstream conveying unit based on the adjustment content of the conveying speed of the upstream conveying unit.

[0107] <Embodiment 2> In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the conveying speed of the image forming system 100 is set from the print control device 110 or an application installed on the client computer 120. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which, when setting the conveying speed of the image forming system 100 in the image forming device 101 included in the image forming system 100, the conveying speed of one conveying unit is set and then the setting of the downstream conveying unit is performed based on that conveying speed.

[0108] The configuration of the system according to this embodiment is the same as the configuration described in the first embodiment using FIGS. 1 to 4, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0109] An example of setting the transport speed of the transport unit of the image forming system 100 from a setting screen displayed on the operation panel 105 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Note that in this embodiment, an example of setting the speed via the operation panel 105 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The operation screen of the image forming apparatus 101 may be displayed on the display unit of the print control apparatus 110 or the client computer 120, and the setting may be performed via the operation screen in the print control apparatus 110 or the client computer 120.

[0110] When the user operates operation panel 105 to instruct the display of setting screen 800 for setting paper, paper list 801 is displayed.

[0111] The name, basis weight, and size set for each paper type are displayed in the paper list 801. Fig. 8 shows an example in which the user has selected "Plain Paper_Adjustment" 805. The user can select the paper type by operating the operation panel 105, for example.

[0112] The Details / Edit button 802 is a button for displaying an edit screen 810 for selecting setting items for the selected paper type. The Duplicate button 803 is a button for duplicating the selected paper type and adding it to the list. The Delete button 804 is a button for deleting the selected paper type from the list.

[0113] When paper type 805 is selected and detail / edit button 802 is pressed, edit screen 810 for selecting setting items is displayed. Edit screen 810 displays a list of setting items for the type of paper selected in paper list 801. In the example of FIG. 8, five setting items, 811 to 815, are displayed. Screens for changing the settings of 811 to 815 can be displayed by selecting change buttons 821 to 825.

[0114] Paper transport adjustment 811 for the pre-fixing transport section is a setting item for the transport speed of transport unit 421 in image forming system 100. Paper transport adjustment 812 for the first fixing section is a setting item for the transport speed of transport unit 422 in image forming system 100. Paper transport adjustment 813 for the second fixing section is a setting item for the transport speed of transport unit 423 in image forming system 100. Paper transport adjustment 814 for the bypass section is a setting item for the transport speed of transport unit 424 in image forming system 100. Paper transport adjustment 815 for the reversing / paper ejection section is a setting item for the transport speed of transport unit 425 in image forming system 100.

[0115] When a change button 821 corresponding to the paper transport adjustment 811 for the pre-fixing transport section is pressed, a transport setting screen 830 is displayed.

[0116] The input section 831 is an input field for inputting an adjustment value for the conveying speed. This adjustment value indicates how much to increase or decrease the set value by, with the set value currently set in the image forming system 100 as a reference. For example, when "6" is input into the input section 522, this means that the new set value is a value obtained by increasing the set value currently set in the image forming system 100 by 6. In this embodiment, the input section 831 is configured to input an increase or decrease value (relative value) relative to the currently set value, but this is not limited thereto. The input section 831 may also be configured to input a new set value (absolute value). The CPU 201 functions as a reception section that receives an instruction to set the conveying speed of the conveying unit via the conveying setting screen 830.

[0117] The adjustment value input into the input section 831 can be changed by pressing the minus button 832 or the plus button 833. When the minus button 832 is pressed, the numerical value displayed in the input section 831 is decreased by 1. When the plus button 833 is pressed, the numerical value displayed in the input section 831 is increased by 1. When the numerical value is changed by "1", the conveying speed of the motor belonging to the unit is changed by a predetermined speed.

[0118] Here, when the setting instruction for the conveying speed of the target conveying unit 421 (paper conveyance in the pre-fixing conveying section) is confirmed by pressing OK button 835, the conveying speed of conveying unit 421 is set for image forming system 100 based on that instruction. At the same time, based on that setting instruction, the conveying speeds of the conveying units downstream of conveying unit 421 selected by the user are set for image forming system 100. In the example of Fig. 4, these downstream conveying units are conveying unit 422 (paper conveyance in the first fixing section), conveying unit 423 (paper conveyance in the second fixing section), conveying unit 424 (paper conveyance in the bypass section), and conveying unit 425 (paper conveyance in the reversing / paper ejection section).

[0119] According to this configuration, in response to an instruction to adjust the conveying speed of the conveying unit located upstream on the conveying path, the conveying speed of the conveying unit located downstream on the conveying path is automatically adjusted.

[0120] Therefore, even if the user is not aware of it, the consistency between the transport unit for which the user has set the transport speed and the transport units further downstream can be maintained. Also, when adjusting the transport speed of one transport unit, the user can be saved the trouble of having to set the transport speed of the downstream units.

[0121] Applicable range 834 displayed on transport setting screen 830 is a list of other setting items (other transport units) whose settings are changed in response to input of an adjustment value into input section 831. In the example of Fig. 8, applicable range 834 indicates that the adjustment value input into input section 831 is also applied to the paper transport adjustment of the first fixing section, the paper transport adjustment of the second fixing section, the paper transport adjustment of the bypass section, and the paper transport adjustment of the reversing / paper ejection section.

[0122] When the OK button 835 is pressed, the adjustment value input to the input unit 831 is applied to the image forming apparatus 101. On the other hand, when the cancel button 836 is pressed, the adjustment value input to the input unit 831 is not applied to the image forming apparatus 101, and the transport setting screen 830 is closed. Note that, although the case where a change in the setting value of the paper transport adjustment 811 for the pre-fixing transport unit is instructed on the edit screen 810 has been described as an example, the same applies when setting other setting items.

[0123] The content displayed in the application range 834 and the method of determining application to other setting items are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 6, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0124] However, while the first embodiment has been described as an example in which the processing shown in the flowchart in Fig. 6 is executed by the print control device 110 or the client computer 120, the present embodiment differs in that the processing shown in Fig. 6 is executed by the image forming device 101. The processing shown in the flowchart in Fig. 6 is achieved by the CPU 201 of the image forming device 101 executing the program loaded in the RAM 202 described above. In this embodiment, the flow shown in Fig. 6 starts when one of the change setting item buttons 821 to 825 is selected on the edit screen 810 shown in Fig. 8. Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the table 700 shown in Fig. 7 is stored in the external storage device 211 of the image forming device 101.

[0125] 6, the CPU 301 in the first embodiment shall be read as the CPU 201 in this embodiment. The editing screen 510 described in the first embodiment shall be read as the editing screen 810. The transport setting screen 520 described in the first embodiment shall be read as the transport setting screen 830. The application range 526 described in the first embodiment shall be read as the application range 834. The OK button 527 shall be read as the OK button 835. The cancel button 528 shall be read as the cancel button 836. The input unit 522 described in the first embodiment shall be read as the input unit 831.

[0126] In this embodiment, in response to an instruction to adjust the conveying speed of a conveying unit located upstream on the conveying path, the conveying speed of a conveying unit located downstream on the conveying path is automatically adjusted.

[0127] Therefore, even if the user is not aware of it, the consistency between the transport unit for which the user has set the transport speed and the transport units further downstream can be maintained. Also, when adjusting the transport speed of one transport unit, the user can be saved the trouble of having to set the transport speed of the downstream units.

[0128] Furthermore, according to the setting value update process described using Figure 6, the speed of a transport unit located upstream on the transport path from the transport unit for which the user has instructed the setting value to be updated is not updated in conjunction with the user updating the setting value.

[0129] Therefore, the user can adjust the transport speed of only some of the transport units among the plurality of transport units.

[0130] In addition, the user may be able to switch between enabling and disabling the function of automatically adjusting the set value of the conveying speed of the downstream conveying unit based on the adjustment content of the conveying speed of the upstream conveying unit.

[0131] <Embodiment 3> In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the range (value range) in which the user can increase or decrease the setting value is displayed on the transport setting screen 520 described in the first embodiment or the transport setting screen 830 described in the second embodiment.

[0132] In this embodiment, an example is described in which the value range of the transport unit for which the user is trying to change the setting value is displayed, taking into account not only the value range of the transport unit for which the user is trying to change the setting value, but also the value range of the transport unit located downstream of that transport unit.

[0133] In the examples described in the first and second embodiments, when an instruction to adjust the conveying speed of a conveying unit located upstream on the conveying path is given, the conveying speed of a conveying unit located downstream is also changed accordingly. In this case, even if the adjustment value input by the user is within the range of the conveying speed of the conveying unit located upstream, there is a possibility that it may fall outside the range of the conveying speed of the conveying unit located downstream. In such a case, the adjustment value instructed by the user cannot be reflected in the conveying unit located downstream.

[0134] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7 , the current setting value for “First Fixing Unit Paper Conveyance Adjustment” is “0,” the upper limit that can be set is “+128,” and the lower limit is “−128.” That is, the user can increase or decrease the current value by “128.” In the first or second embodiment, if the user increases the setting value for “First Fixing Unit Paper Conveyance Adjustment” from “0” to “128,” the adjustment amount of “+128” is also applied to adjustment items downstream of “First Fixing Unit Paper Conveyance Adjustment.” In the example shown in FIG. 7 , the current value for “Bypass Unit Paper Conveyance Adjustment” is “+30.” If the adjustment amount of “+128” is applied to this current value, the adjusted setting value becomes “+158.” However, because the upper limit value for “Bypass Unit Paper Conveyance Adjustment” is “+128,” the adjusted setting value exceeds the upper limit value. Therefore, if the setting value for "Paper transport adjustment in bypass section" is set to the upper limit of "+128", the adjustment amount will differ from that of the preceding and following transport units, which may result in inconsistencies in the transport speed.

[0135] Therefore, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which the value range of the transport unit selected by the user is displayed, taking into account not only the value range of the transport unit selected by the user, but also the value range of the transport unit located downstream of the transport unit.

[0136] The configuration of the system according to this embodiment is the same as the configuration described in the first embodiment using FIGS. 1 to 4, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0137] (Example of adjustment range display) First, an example will be described in which a range (adjustment range) in which the user can increase or decrease the setting value is displayed on the transport setting screen 520 described in embodiment 1. The following content can also be applied to the transport setting screen 830 described in embodiment 2.

[0138] FIG. 9 shows a transport setting screen 520 for setting the transport speed of "paper transport adjustment of first fixing section" (transport unit 422).

[0139] The adjustment range 901 indicates the range within which the user can increase or decrease the value from the current value. The adjustment range 901 is information indicating the amount by which the value can be changed from the current setting value of the conveyance speed. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the current setting value of "Paper conveyance adjustment of first fixing unit" is "0," the upper limit value that can be set is "+128," and the lower limit value is "-128." In other words, with regard to only "Paper conveyance adjustment of first fixing unit," the image forming system 100 has the ability to increase or decrease the value by "128" from the current value of "0."

[0140] However, in the example of FIG. 9, the setting application displays the lower limit of the adjustment range as "-118" and the upper limit as "+98."

[0141] This is because, in table 700 shown in Figure 7, the current value of "Paper transport adjustment of bypass section," which is located downstream of "Paper transport adjustment of first fixing section," is "+30," and the upper limit value is "+128," so the value can only be increased by the difference of "98."

[0142] Similarly, for the lower limit value, the current value of the "Paper transport adjustment of the second fixing unit," which is located downstream of the "Paper transport adjustment of the first fixing unit," is "-10," and the lower limit value is "-128," so the value can only be reduced by the difference, "118."

[0143] In this way, the settable range for the transport unit selected by the user is displayed, taking into consideration how much the setting value can be increased or decreased from the current value not only for the transport unit selected by the user but also for transport units located downstream on the transport path.

[0144] According to the above processing, in a configuration in which the conveying speed of a conveying unit located upstream of the conveying path is changed, the conveying speed of a conveying unit located downstream is also changed, a setting range can be displayed that does not exceed the adjustable range of the conveying speed of the conveying unit located downstream.

[0145] (Adjustment range determination process) The process of determining the adjustment range according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 10 is achieved by CPU 301 executing the program loaded in RAM 302. In this embodiment, the flow shown in Fig. 10 starts when edit button 512 is selected after a setting item is selected on edit screen 510 shown in Fig. 5(C).

[0146] The same effect can be achieved by causing the client computer 120 or the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 101 to execute the process of FIG.

[0147] In S1001, the CPU 301 acquires the current setting value for the transport speed of the transport unit corresponding to the setting item selected by the user on the selection screen 513 (hereinafter referred to as the "transport unit selected by the user").

[0148] In S1002, the CPU 301 assigns the setting value acquired in S1001 to the variable named "Max." The variable named "Max" is a variable name for specifying the maximum setting value among the setting values ​​of the transport speed of the transport unit selected by the user and the transport units located downstream thereof.

[0149] In S1003, the CPU 301 assigns the setting value acquired in S1001 to a variable named "min." The variable named "min" is a variable named for specifying the minimum setting value among the setting values ​​of the transport speed of the transport unit selected by the user and the transport units located downstream thereof.

[0150] In S1004, the CPU 301 determines whether there is a transport unit downstream of the transport unit selected by the user. The CPU 301 can perform the process of S1003 by referring to the transport sequence 702 in the table 700 in FIG.

[0151] If there is no transport unit downstream of the transport unit selected by the user (No in S1003), the CPU 301 executes the process of S1013.

[0152] On the other hand, if there is a transport unit downstream of the transport unit selected by the user (Yes in S1003), the CPU 301 executes the process of S1005.

[0153] In S1005, the CPU 301 assigns 1 to the variable name "i." The variable name "i" is a variable name for identifying the transport unit that is the target of the processing from steps S1006 to S1011, among the transport units downstream of the transport unit selected by the user.

[0154] Furthermore, in S1005, the CPU 301 assigns the number of transport units downstream of the selected transport unit to the variable name "N." The CPU 301 can identify the number of transport units downstream of the selected transport unit by referring to the transport sequence 702 in the table 700 in FIG. 7.

[0155] In S1006, the CPU 301 assigns the current setting value of the transport speed of the i-th transport unit to the variable name “Setting_value(i).” The current setting value of the transport speed of each transport unit can be identified by referring to the setting value column 705 of table 700 in FIG.

[0156] In S1007, CPU 301 compares the value of "Setting_value(i)" with the value of "Max." If the value of "Setting_value(i)" is greater than the value of "Max," CPU 301 proceeds to processing of S1008. On the other hand, if the value of "Setting_value(i)" is equal to or less than the value of "Max," CPU 301 proceeds to processing of S1009.

[0157] In S1008, the CPU 301 assigns the value of "Setting_value(i)" to "Max" and proceeds to the processing of S1011.

[0158] In S1009, CPU 301 compares the value of "Setting_value(i)" with the value of "min." If the value of "Setting_value(i)" is smaller than the value of "min," CPU 301 proceeds to processing of S1010. On the other hand, if the value of "Setting_value(i)" is equal to or greater than the value assigned to "min," CPU 301 proceeds to processing of S1011.

[0159] In S1010, the CPU 301 assigns the value of "Setting_value(i)" to "min", and proceeds to the processing of S1011.

[0160] In S1011, the CPU 301 increments "i".

[0161] In S1012, CPU 301 determines whether the value of "i" has exceeded N. If the value of "i" has not exceeded N (No in S1012), CPU 301 repeats the processes of steps S1006 to S1011. On the other hand, if the value of "i" has exceeded N (Yes in S1012), CPU 301 performs the process of S1013.

[0162] Through the processing of steps S1006 to S1011, the maximum and minimum values ​​are identified among the set values ​​of the transport speeds of the transport unit selected by the user and the transport units positioned downstream thereof.

[0163] In step S1013 , the CPU 301 determines the value obtained by subtracting the “Max” value from the upper limit “+128” shown in the table 700 as the upper limit to be displayed in the adjustment range 901 .

[0164] In step S1014 , the CPU 301 determines the value obtained by subtracting the “min” value from “−128”, which is the lower limit value shown in the table 700 , as the lower limit value to be displayed in the adjustment range 901 .

[0165] In S1015, the CPU 301 displays the values ​​determined in S1013 and S1014 in the adjustment range 901, and ends the process.

[0166] According to the above processing, in a configuration in which the conveying speed of a conveying unit located upstream of the conveying path is changed, the conveying speed of a conveying unit located downstream is also changed, the setting range can be displayed so as not to exceed the adjustable range of the conveying speed of the downstream conveying unit.

[0167] Therefore, the user does not have to check the setting values ​​of the downstream adjustment unit before deciding on the setting values ​​of the upstream adjustment unit.

[0168] Furthermore, on the transport setting screen 520, the user may be prevented from setting an adjustment value that exceeds the adjustment range identified by the processing of FIG. 9, or when the user attempts to set an adjustment value that exceeds the adjustment range, a message indicating that the setting is not possible may be displayed.

[0169] In this way, in a configuration in which the conveying speed of a conveying unit located upstream of the conveying path is changed, the conveying speed of a conveying unit located downstream is also changed, the user can set a setting value so that it does not exceed the adjustable range of the conveying speed of the downstream conveying unit.

[0170] <Other embodiments> The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0171] 100 Image forming system 101 Image forming device 110 Printing control device 120 client computers 201 CPU 301 CPU 520 Transport setting screen 830 Transport setting screen

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an image forming system having a plurality of transport units including a first transport unit that transports a sheet, a second transport unit located downstream of the first transport unit in a transport path of the sheet, and a third transport unit located downstream of the second transport unit in a transport path of the sheet, a receiving unit configured to receive from a user an instruction to change the conveying speed of the sheet by the second conveying unit selected by the user via a screen for selecting one of the plurality of conveying units; An information processing device characterized by having a control means that causes the image forming system to change the conveying speed of the sheet by at least the second conveying unit selected by the user and the conveying speed of the sheet by the third conveying unit based on the instruction, without causing the image forming system to change the conveying speed of the sheet by at least the first conveying unit based on the instruction.

2. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display control unit that displays, on a display unit, information indicating that the conveying speed of the sheet by the third conveying unit will be changed based on the instruction.

3. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information is displayed in accordance with a change screen for changing the conveying speed of the sheet by the second conveying unit selected by the user.

4. An information processing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control means causes the image forming system to change the conveying speed of the sheet by the third conveying unit based on the amount by which the set value of the conveying speed of the sheet by the second conveying unit is changed by the instruction.

5. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a set value of the transport speed of the sheet by the second transport unit can be changed for each type of the sheet.

6. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a print control apparatus that can communicate with the image forming system.

7. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system includes an image forming apparatus.

8. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system includes a sheet feeding device.

9. 9. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit is capable of individually receiving an instruction to change the conveying speed of the sheet by the first conveying unit, an instruction to change the conveying speed of the sheet by the second conveying unit, and an instruction to change the conveying speed of the sheet by the third conveying unit.

10. A control method for controlling an image forming system having a plurality of transport units including a first transport unit that transports a sheet, a second transport unit that is located downstream of the first transport unit in a transport path of the sheet, and a third transport unit that is located downstream of the second transport unit in the transport path of the sheet, a receiving step of receiving, from a user, an instruction to change the conveying speed of the sheet by the second conveying unit selected by the user via a screen for selecting any one of the plurality of conveying units; A control method characterized by having a control step of causing the image forming system to change the conveying speed of the sheet by at least the second conveying unit selected by the user and to change the conveying speed of the sheet by the third conveying unit based on the instruction, without causing the image forming system to change the conveying speed of the sheet by at least the first conveying unit based on the instruction.

11. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for controlling an image forming system having a plurality of transport units, including a first transport unit that transports a sheet, a second transport unit that is located downstream of the first transport unit in a transport path of the sheet, and a third transport unit that is located downstream of the second transport unit in the transport path of the sheet, the control method comprising: a receiving step of receiving, from a user, an instruction to change the conveying speed of the sheet by the second conveying unit selected by the user via a screen for selecting any one of the plurality of conveying units; A program characterized by having a control step of causing the image forming system to change the conveying speed of the sheet by at least the second conveying unit selected by the user and to change the conveying speed of the sheet by the third conveying unit based on the instruction, without causing the image forming system to change the conveying speed of the sheet by at least the first conveying unit based on the instruction.

12. An image forming system having a plurality of transport units including a first transport unit that transports a sheet, a second transport unit located downstream of the first transport unit in a transport path of the sheet, and a third transport unit located downstream of the second transport unit in the transport path of the sheet, a receiving unit configured to receive from a user an instruction to change the conveying speed of the sheet by the second conveying unit selected by the user via a screen for selecting one of the plurality of conveying units; An image forming system characterized by having a control means that, without changing the conveying speed of the sheet by at least the first conveying unit based on the instruction, changes the conveying speed of the sheet by at least the second conveying unit selected by the user and changes the conveying speed of the sheet by the third conveying unit based on the instruction.

Images