Image forming apparatus and method

Abstract

To provide an image forming device that is configured to set a partition for performing sorting on the basis of the winding number required in a structure of a post-processing machine.SOLUTION: An image forming device comprises: setting means that sets a partition area for sorting recording media in a roll shape into a plurality of windings, in a group of images that are continuously printed when the recording media in the roll shape are fed from a feeding device in which the media are set; and printing means that prints the group of images, to which the partition area set by the setting means is reflected, on the recording media fed from the feeding device. The setting means sets the partition area, on the basis of a winding number representing the number of the plurality of windings which are required in a structure of a post-processing machine that executes post-processing to be applied to the recording media in the roll shape on which the printing has been performed by the printing means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and method for forming an image on a roll-shaped recording medium. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, label finisher systems are known, such as post-processing machines that can handle everything from die-cutting to winding in a single pass. Label finisher systems require limitations on specifications such as the maximum roll diameter, maximum weight, and maximum length of the roll paper that can be processed. For example, in the case of finished label rolls, there are limitations on the external dimensions of the delivered roll paper so that it fits into an automatic labeling machine such as a labeling machine.

[0003] On the other hand, label roll printing factories have to sort the finished rolls of paper into multiple rolls before delivery, in accordance with the external dimensions and number of rolls (quantity of rolls) required by the customer.

[0004] For example, as shown in Figure 10(a), if the image-formed roll paper product is delivered as is, the diameter R1 and weight of the roll paper may exceed the limits, potentially preventing it from being loaded into an automatic labeling machine. Therefore, before delivery, the operator needs to sort the roll paper product into multiple rolls to match the required external dimensions and number of rolls for delivery. For example, as shown in Figure 10(b), the operator sorts the roll paper product into three rolls so that the diameter of each roll paper product is R2. In the sorting process, first, the length and number of labels of the roll paper product are measured to fit within the external dimensions limits of the delivery roll, and then it is cut so that it can be separated from the roll paper product. Next, a certain amount of blank paper is attached so that the separated roll paper product portion and the cut roll paper product portion can be wound back onto the paper core. For example, after the roll paper product is delivered to the customer in this manner, the post-processing machine performs die-cutting on the portion where multiple label images have been formed. Furthermore, for example, the roll paper delivered to the customer in this manner may be divided into multiple rolls after die-cutting the portion where multiple label images have been formed using a post-processing machine.

[0005] Patent Document 1 describes how to reduce the amount of wasted space when cutting continuous paper by setting an optimal interval between jobs required for post-processing during the printing process. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-202754 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, Patent Document 1 does not mention setting up partitions for sorting by the required number of turns in the configuration of the post-processing machine.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide an image forming apparatus and method for setting partitions for sorting by the required number of rolls in the configuration of a post-processing machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention prints a series of images as a roll-shaped recording medium is fed from a feeding device. Between images in The system comprises: setting means for setting partition areas to divide the roll-shaped recording medium into multiple rolls; and printing means for printing the image group reflecting the partition areas set by the setting means onto the recording medium fed from the feeding device, wherein the setting means is part of a post-processing machine that performs post-processing on the roll-shaped recording medium printed by the printing means. Based on the specification information and the print information of the image group, the number of volumes is obtained, and from the obtained number of volumes... The partition area is set death , The specification information includes the inner diameter of the tube that forms the core of the roll-shaped recording medium, the thickness of the tube, the maximum roll diameter, the maximum roll weight, and the maximum roll length, while the print information includes the number of pages, the size of the images, and the total print length of the image group obtained based on the spacing between images. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, partitions can be set to sort by the required number of turns in the configuration of the post-processing machine. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of an image forming system. [Figure 2] This is a functional block diagram showing the control configuration of the image forming system. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing the print settings screen for the job list. [Figure 4A] This is a diagram showing the settings screen for partition information. [Figure 4B] This is a diagram showing the settings screen for partition information. [Figure 5A] This is a diagram showing the settings screen for partition information. [Figure 5B] This is a diagram showing the settings screen for partition information. [Figure 5C]It is a diagram showing a partition information setting screen. [Figure 6] It is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating the roll paper diameter from the roll paper length. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing the printing process on the roll paper. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing a partition information setting screen. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing a partition information setting screen. [Figure 10] It is a diagram for explaining the sorting operation. [Figure 11] It is a diagram for explaining the sorting operation. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing the print settings screen of the job list. [Figure 13A] It is a diagram showing the layout settings screen. [Figure 13B] It is a diagram showing the layout settings screen. [Figure 13C] It is a diagram showing the layout settings screen. [Figure 14A] It is a diagram showing the layout settings screen. [Figure 14B] It is a diagram showing the layout settings screen. [Figure 14C] It is a diagram showing the layout settings screen. [Figure 14D] It is a diagram showing the layout settings screen. [Figure 15] It is a flowchart showing the calculation process of the optimal number of rolls.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although a plurality of features are described in the embodiments, not all of these plurality of features are essential to the invention, and the plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted.

[0013] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 shows an example of the schematic configuration of the image forming system 1 in this embodiment. The image forming system 1 is a system that forms an image on a roll-shaped recording medium (hereinafter referred to as roll paper (continuous paper) as an example) P that is capable of continuous image formation. The image forming system 1 is configured by connecting a feeding device 10, an image forming device 20, and a winding device 30 from the upstream side along the transport direction of the roll paper P.

[0014] The feeding device 10 is a device that supplies roll paper P to the image forming apparatus 20. The feeding device 10 rotates the paper core of the roll paper P around the rotation axis 11 and transports the roll paper P wound on the paper core towards the image forming apparatus 20 at a constant speed via multiple rollers (for example, transport rollers and paper feed rollers).

[0015] The image forming apparatus 20 controls the operation to form an image on the roll paper P supplied from the feeding device 10. The image forming apparatus 20 then transports the roll paper P with the formed image toward the winding device 30. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 20 is, for example, a labeling apparatus in which multiple groups of labels (groups of images) are printed continuously in the feeding direction.

[0016] The winding device 30 is a device that winds the roll paper P, which has been conveyed from the image forming apparatus 20, into a roll shape around a paper tube. In the winding device 30, for example, as shown in Figure 1, the roll paper P is wound around the paper tube of the rotating shaft 31 and held in a roll shape. The winding device 30 winds the roll paper P, which has been conveyed to the paper tube by rotating around the rotating shaft 31, onto the rotating shaft 31 at a constant speed as the output roll paper P', passing through a plurality of rollers (for example, a conveying roller and a paper discharge roller).

[0017] Next, the control configuration of the image forming system 1 will be described in detail.

[0018] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram showing the control configuration of the image forming system 1. In Figure 2, the paper feeding device 10 and the winding device 30 are shown as external devices. As shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 20 includes, for example, a paper transport unit 21, an image forming unit 22, a communication unit 23, a control unit 24, a storage unit 25, and an operation display unit 26. Each unit is connected to the others so as to be able to communicate with each other, for example, by a bus.

[0019] The paper transport unit 21 is a paper transport mechanism for the roll paper P inside the image forming apparatus 20. For example, it uses multiple rollers to transport the roll paper P transported from the feeding device 10 to the image forming unit 22, and then transports the roll paper P that has passed through the image forming unit 22 to the winding device 30.

[0020] The image forming unit 22 forms an image on the roll paper P supplied from the feeding device 10 based on the print data that it has received an output instruction for. The roll paper P on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit 22 is transported toward the winding device 30. The communication unit 23 is composed of a communication control card, such as a LAN (Local Area Network) card. The communication unit 23 sends and receives various data with external devices (such as information processing devices such as PCs) connected to a communication network such as a LAN or WAN (Wide Area Network). The communication network may be a wired network, a wireless network, or a network that combines both.

[0021] The control unit 24 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and comprehensively controls the image forming system 1. The CPU of the control unit 24 reads various programs, such as system programs and processing programs, stored in the memory unit 25, loads them into RAM, and executes various processes according to the loaded programs. For example, the control unit 24 can perform image forming processing to execute image forming jobs (hereinafter simply referred to as jobs) in response to user instructions. The memory unit 25 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory (e.g., flash memory) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The memory unit 25 stores various programs, such as system programs and processing programs executed by the control unit 24, and various data necessary for the execution of these programs.

[0022] The operation display unit 26 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel, and comprises a display unit 26a and an operation unit 26b. The display unit 26a displays various information on the display screen according to display control signals input from the control unit 24. The operation unit 26b is equipped with various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key, and accepts various input operations from the user and outputs operation signals to the control unit 24. The operation display unit 26 is used, for example, to set boundary information when executing a job.

[0023] Here, the partition information refers to information indicating the insertion position of a partition information page to be pre-inserted into the job when it is necessary to sort the image-forming processed roll paper output P' into multiple rolls for delivery. In other words, by pre-inserting partition information into the job, the partition information page can be reflected in the printed output. In this embodiment, the partition information is generated by the user arbitrarily setting one of the following conditions: number of prints, number of copies, print length, print weight, or print diameter. The partition information page will be described later.

[0024] Next, we will explain the operation of the image forming apparatus 20 when performing image forming processing on roll paper P.

[0025] First, the user creates job data on an external device such as a PC and sets the job's print settings and delivery roll count settings. In this embodiment, "delivery roll count" refers to the number of rolls to be delivered. The job data and the job ticket, which includes information on the job's print settings and delivery roll count settings, are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20 via a communication network. The control unit 24 of the image forming apparatus 20 receives the job data and job ticket transmitted from the external device via the communication unit 23.

[0026] Figure 3 shows an example of the print settings screen for the job list displayed on the display unit 26a by the control unit 24. As shown in Figure 3, display item 301 is a display list that shows a list of submitted jobs. Display item 301 displays job information for the submitted jobs in the order they were submitted.

[0027] Job information includes, for example, document name, number of pages, number of copies, paper type, and number of volumes to be delivered. The user can also select a job from the list displayed in the display item 301 by operating the operation keys on the control unit 26b. Figure 3 shows the state where Document1 is selected.

[0028] The number of rolls to be delivered (hereinafter simply referred to as "number of rolls") is the quantity of rolls to be delivered as requested by the delivery user. The number of rolls may be determined based on the configuration specifications of the post-processing machine owned by the delivery user. In this embodiment, partition information is generated based on the number of rolls and one of the conditions set by the user, such as the number of prints, number of copies, print length, print weight, or print diameter. In this embodiment, the number of rolls is described as already determined from the configuration specifications of the post-processing machine, but the number of rolls may also be calculated from the configuration specifications of the post-processing machine. Such a configuration will be described in other embodiments.

[0029] Display item 302 is a button that can receive an instruction to delete the job information stored in the storage unit 25 that corresponds to the job selected in display item 301. Display item 303 is a button that can receive an instruction to set the partition information for the job selected in display item 301. When display item 303 is pressed, the partition information setting screen is displayed. Display item 304 is a button that can receive an instruction to start image formation for the job selected in display item 301.

[0030] Figures 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, and 5C show examples of partition information setting screens that are displayed on the display unit 26a by the control unit 24 when the display item 303 in Figure 3 is pressed.

[0031] Figure 4A(a) shows an example of the partition information setting screen when the partition information setting function is turned off. Figure 4A(a) shows the default display information on the partition information setting screen. As shown in Figure 4A(a), display item 401 displays the job information of the selected job (Document1). Display item 402 is a control for indicating whether or not to perform the partition information setting function (hereinafter referred to as the "partition function") for the selected job, and as shown in Figure 4A(a), the partition function is turned off.

[0032] Display item 403 is a control for setting the conditions for partition information (hereinafter referred to as "partition conditions"). When display item 402 is ON, it becomes possible to change the partition conditions setting of display item 403. As shown in Figure 4A(a), since the partition conditions are OFF, there is no partition information. Display item 404 is a control for setting the length of the partition information page (hereinafter referred to as "partition length"). As shown in Figure 4A(a), the partition length is set to 1.0m.

[0033] Display item 405 is a print preview screen that shows an image of the print result with the user-defined divider information page added to the job. Since display item 402 is off, the output of the roll paper is considered to be one roll. Therefore, the image of one roll is displayed in display item 405. Also, since the divider length is specified as 1.0m, the print preview image displayed in display item 405 shows a 1.0m divider information page added as blank pages at the beginning and end of the roll. The border lines of the added divider information page are dotted lines, which can be used as a reference for cutting during sorting. Alternatively, the dotted lines of display item 405 may be printed as the border lines of the divider information page. Furthermore, the divider information page may be output as a blank sheet in the print output.

[0034] Display item 406 is used to change the page displayed in the print preview. Display item 407 is a button that can receive an instruction to store the partition information and partition information page set by the user in the storage unit 25. When display item 407 is pressed, the partition information and partition information page set by the user are stored in the storage unit 25. Display item 408 is a button to cancel the partition information and partition information page set by the user. When display item 408 is pressed, the partition information and partition information page set by the user are cleared.

[0035] Figure 4A(b) shows an example of the partition information settings screen when display item 402 is set to ON. When the partition function is ON, the partition condition setting for display item 403 is displayed as OFF by default. When the partition condition setting is OFF, partition information is automatically generated based on the job's print settings without user intervention.

[0036] Display item 409 controls the partition information generated according to the job's partition conditions. When the partition condition setting is turned off, the text box of display item 409 is displayed in a way that prevents user modification.

[0037] For example, as shown in Figure 4A(b), if the number of copies is "1", the control unit 24 divides the number of pages in the job by the number of volumes and rounds up the result to obtain the average number of pages per volume. Based on the calculated average number of pages, the control unit 24 calculates the start and end pages for each volume and displays the division information in the display item 409. For example, as shown in the display item 409, Volume 1 will be from page 1 to page 250, and Volume 2 will be from page 251 to page 500.

[0038] Furthermore, if the partition condition setting is set to "off," the user can set the partition length. For example, as shown in Figure 4A(b), if the partition length is set to 1.0m, a print preview image will be displayed with 1.0m partition information pages added to the beginning and end of each roll, based on the generated partition information, as shown in display item 405. If the partition length is set to 0m, no partition information pages will be generated.

[0039] The added divider information page will contain divider information for each volume. As shown in display item 405, the starting page number, ending page number, and volume number information for each volume will be added to the divider information page as divider information.

[0040] In Figures 4A(a) and 4A(b), the number of copies is 1, so the partition information is generated based on the number of printed pages. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4B, when the number of copies is 1 or more, the partition information is generated based on the number of printed copies. In that case, the control unit 24 divides the number of copies of the job by the number of volumes and rounds up the result to obtain the average number of copies per volume. Based on the calculated average number of copies, the control unit 24 calculates the start and end numbers of copies for each volume and displays the partition information in the display item 409. For example, as shown in the display item 409 in Figure 4B, the first volume will have copies from 1 to 167, the second volume from 168 to 335, and the third volume from 336 to 500.

[0041] The added divider information page will contain divider information for each volume. As shown in display item 405, the starting and ending number of copies, the starting page number, the ending page number, and the volume number information will be added to the divider information page as divider information.

[0042] Figure 5A(a) shows an example of the partition information setting screen when the partition function is turned on and the partition condition is set to "Number of Printed Pages" in display item 403. For example, as shown in Figure 5A(a), the text box in display item 409 allows the user to specify the start and end pages for each volume. For example, as shown in display item 409, Volume 1 is specified to be from page 1 to page 250, and Volume 2 is specified to be from page 251 to page 500.

[0043] The added divider information page will contain divider information for each volume. As shown in display item 405, the starting page number, ending page number, and volume number information for each volume will be added to the divider information page as divider information.

[0044] Thus, in this embodiment, the user can set partition information based on the number of pages to be printed.

[0045] Figure 5A(b) shows an example of the partition information setting screen when the partition function is turned on and the partition condition is set to "Number of Copies" in display item 403. For example, as shown in Figure 5A(b), the text box in display item 409 allows the user to specify the starting and ending number of copies for each volume. For example, as shown in display item 409, volume 1 will have 1 to 150 copies, volume 2 will have 151 to 300 copies, and volume 3 will have 301 to 500 copies.

[0046] The added divider information page will contain divider information for each volume. As shown in display item 405, the starting and ending number of copies, the starting page number, the ending page number, and the volume number information will be added to the divider information page as divider information.

[0047] Thus, in this embodiment, the user can set partition information based on the number of copies to be printed.

[0048] Figure 5B(a) shows an example of the partition information setting screen when the partition function is turned on and the partition condition is set to "print length" in display item 403. For example, as shown in Figure 5B(a), the text box in display item 409 allows the user to specify the start and end pages for each volume. The print length for each volume is calculated by accumulating the length of each page for the start and end pages specified for each volume.

[0049] For example, as shown in item 409, if the page length is 297.0 mm, then Volume 1 will have pages 1 through 300 and a print length of 89,100 mm, Volume 2 will have pages 301 through 600 and a print length of 89,100 mm, and Volume 3 will have pages 601 through 1000 and a print length of 118,800 mm.

[0050] The added divider information page contains divider information for each volume. As shown in display item 405, the start page number, end page number, print length information for the volume, and volume number information are added to the divider information page as divider information.

[0051] Thus, in this embodiment, the user can set partition information based on the print length by specifying the number of pages.

[0052] Figure 5B(b) shows an example of the partition information setting screen when the partition function is turned on and the partition condition is set to "print weight" in display item 403. For example, as shown in Figure 5B(b), the text box in display item 409 allows the user to specify the start and end pages for each volume. For the start and end pages specified for each volume, the weight of each page can be calculated by multiplying the page area by the page basis weight, and the print weight for each volume can be determined by accumulating the weights of each page.

[0053] For example, as shown in item 409, the page weight is 90 g / m². 2 For paper with a width of 210.0 mm and a length of 297.0 mm, the first roll will contain pages 1 through 2500 and have a print weight of 26.7 kg. The second roll will contain pages 2501 through 5000 and have a print length of 25.7 kg.

[0054] The added divider information page contains divider information for each volume. As shown in display item 405, the start page number, end page number, print weight information for the volume, and volume number information are added to the divider information page as divider information.

[0055] Thus, in this embodiment, the user can set partition information based on the print weight by specifying the number of pages.

[0056] Figure 5C shows an example of the partition information setting screen when the partition function is turned on and the partition condition is selected as "print diameter" (roll paper diameter) in display item 403. For example, as shown in Figure 5C, the text box in display item 409 allows the user to specify the start and end pages for each roll. The print diameter for each roll is calculated based on the start and end pages specified for each roll. The information necessary to calculate the print diameter is included in the job ticket.

[0057] Thus, in this embodiment, the user can set partition information based on the print diameter by specifying the number of pages.

[0058] Figure 6 illustrates a method for calculating the roll paper diameter from the length of the roll paper. In this embodiment, the roll paper diameter is calculated based on the following formula.

[0059] Paper tube radius = (Paper tube inner diameter + Paper tube thickness × 2) ÷ 2 Paper tube cross-sectional area = paper tube radius × paper tube radius × pi Roll length = cumulative length of each page in the roll Roll paper cross-sectional area = Roll paper length × Roll paper thickness + Paper core cross-sectional area Roll paper diameter = Roll paper radius × 2 Hereafter, we will use 3.14 for the value of pi.

[0060] For example, if the inner diameter of the paper core is 76 mm, the thickness of the paper core is 5 mm, the thickness of the roll paper is 80 μm, the length of the page is 297.0 mm, and the number of pages is 2500, the calculation is as follows.

[0061] Paper tube radius = (76+5×2)÷2 = 43[mm] Paper tube cross-sectional area = 43×43×3.14 = 5806[mm 2 ] Roll paper length = 297.0 × 2500 = 742500 [mm] Roll paper cross-sectional area = 742500 × 0.08 + 5806 = 65206 [mm²] 2 ] Roll paper radius = √(65206 ÷ 3.14) = 144.1 [mm] Roll paper diameter = 144.1 × 2 = 288.2 [mm] For example, as shown in Figure 5C, item 409, if the inner diameter of the paper core is 76 mm, the thickness of the paper core is 5 mm, the thickness of the roll paper is 80 μm, and the length of the pages is 297.0 mm, then the first roll will have pages 1 through 2500 and a print diameter of 288.2 mm. Then, the second roll will have pages 2501 through 5000 and a print diameter of 288.2 mm.

[0062] The added divider information page contains divider information for each volume. As shown in display item 405, the start page number, end page number, print diameter information for the volume, and volume number information are added to the divider information page as divider information.

[0063] Thus, in this embodiment, the user can set partition information based on the print diameter by specifying the number of pages.

[0064] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the process of printing on roll paper P. The process in Figure 7 is realized when the CPU of the control unit 24 executes a system program stored in the memory unit 35. The process in Figure 7 is started, for example, when a job is selected using display item 301 and display item 304 is pressed.

[0065] In S701, the control unit 24 retrieves the job data selected in the display item 301. In S702, the control unit 24 retrieves the job ticket and the partition information page set by the user for the job selected in the display item 301.

[0066] In S703, the control unit 24 determines whether or not there is a partition information page. If it is determined in S703 that there is no partition information page, the process proceeds to S705. For example, if the partition length is set to 0m in the display item 404, or if the partition length is not set, it is determined that there is no partition information page.

[0067] In S704, the control unit 24 divides the job into multiple volumes based on the start page (or number of copies) and end page (or number of copies) of each volume included in the partitioning information set by the user, and adds partitioning information pages to the beginning and end of each volume.

[0068] In S705, the control unit 24 performs RIP (Raster Image Processing) on ​​the job to generate image data for printing. In this job, if it is determined in S703 that there is no divider information page, the divider information page is not added; if it is determined in S703 that there is a divider information page, the divider information page is added. In S706, the control unit 24 uses the image forming unit 22 to form an image on the roll paper P based on the image data, and then terminates the process shown in Figure 7.

[0069] Thus, according to this embodiment, partition information can be set based on printing information such as the number of copies and number of pages specified by the user, and the number of rolls. Furthermore, the user can refer to the printing length, printing weight, and printing diameter (roll paper diameter) by specifying the number of pages.

[0070] [Second Embodiment] The second embodiment will now be described in terms of its differences from the first embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, multiple partition lengths can be set using display item 801 and display item 802.

[0071] Figure 8 shows an example of the partition information setting screen in this embodiment. In this embodiment, it is possible to set the length of the partition information pages added to the beginning and end of the roll. As shown in Figure 8, display item 801 is a control for setting the partition length at the beginning of the roll, and for example, the partition length is set to 0.5m.

[0072] Display item 802 is a control for setting the rear partition length, for example, the partition length is set to 1.0m. The front partition length is the partition length located on the front side of the roll of paper P in the transport direction, and the rear partition length is the partition length located on the rear side of the roll of paper P in the transport direction. As a result, as shown in display item 803, a print preview image will be displayed with a partition information page of 0.5m length added to the front of the roll and a partition information page of 1.0m length added to the rear of the roll.

[0073] As described above, according to this embodiment, the user can set the length of each of the divider information pages added to the beginning and end of the book, and by setting different lengths as needed, unnecessary space can be reduced.

[0074] [Third Embodiment] The third embodiment will now be described in terms of its differences from the first and second embodiments. In this embodiment, the partition information setting screen includes a remarks field that the user can freely write to as partition information.

[0075] Figure 9 shows an example of the partition information setting screen in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 9, the display item 901 is a control for the user to write as partition information, and writing is possible by operating the operation keys on the operation unit 26b. Hereinafter, the information that the user writes will be referred to as "user-written information".

[0076] For example, as shown in display item 901, users can write information such as "Delivered by: Company A". As a result, as shown in display item 902, the start and end page numbers of the volume, the volume information, and the user-written information are added to the divider information page as divider information.

[0077] As described above, according to this embodiment, the user can write partitioning information as needed, and can provide warnings during sorting work and information for subsequent processes.

[0078] [Fourth Embodiment] The fourth embodiment will be described in terms of its differences from the first to third embodiments. In roll paper image formation, there are cases where a single job is laid out across multiple lanes and image formation is performed there. In such cases, a slitter process is performed on the lane containing the finished roll paper to separate the finished roll paper into multiple rolls before delivery.

[0079] Figure 11(a) shows an example where print data is laid out in three lanes, and the image of the roll paper output is formed. Before delivery, the operator needs to sort the roll paper output into multiple rolls according to the external dimensions and number of rolls required by the customer. For example, as shown in Figure 11(b), the roll paper output is sorted into three rolls by slitting each lane. Here, if the diameter or weight of each roll exceeds the specifications limits of the post-processing machine, the work shown in Figure 10 above will likely occur. Therefore, before delivery, it is necessary to lay out the output considering the external dimensions and number of rolls required by the customer. Furthermore, it is desirable to determine the number of rolls based on the external dimensions of the rolls that meet all the specifications limits of the post-processing machine (maximum roll diameter, maximum weight, maximum length, etc.).

[0080] In this embodiment, when a single job is divided into multiple lanes to generate a layout, the operation of the image forming apparatus 20 that can generate partition information taking into account the specifications limitations of the post-processing machine will be described.

[0081] First, the user transmits object data and a job ticket containing information such as the print request, the number of rolls to be delivered, and the specifications of the post-processing machine to the image forming apparatus 20 via a communication network using an external device such as a PC. The control unit 24 of the image forming apparatus 20 receives the object data and job ticket transmitted from the external device via the communication unit 23.

[0082] Figure 12 shows an example of the print settings screen for the job list, which is displayed on the display unit 26a by the control unit 24. Display items 1201, 1202, and 1204 in Figure 12 are the same as those described for display items 301, 302, and 304 in Figure 3.

[0083] Display item 1205 is a button that can accept instructions for layout generation. When display item 1205 is pressed, the layout settings screen for the job selected by display item 1201 is displayed. The operation when display item 1203 is pressed is the same as the explanation for when display item 303 is pressed in Figure 3.

[0084] Figures 13A, 13B, 13C, 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D show examples of layout setting screens displayed on the display unit 26a by the control unit 24 when display item 1205 in Figure 12 is pressed. As shown in Figures 13A to 13C, the print settings screen is displayed when the user selects the tab for display item 1301, and the post-processing machine specification settings screen is displayed when the user selects the tab for display item 1302. By default, the print settings screen is displayed.

[0085] The print settings screen is where you configure settings related to the layout of objects. On the print settings screen, you can input and change settings such as paper type, paper width, number of pages for the object to form the image, spacing between objects, number of lanes, object output method, and partition information, and you can also view a print preview image of the job according to the settings.

[0086] The post-processing machine specification settings screen displays the specifications of the registered post-processing machine. On this screen, you can input and modify settings such as the maximum roll diameter, maximum roll length, maximum roll weight, core inner diameter, and core thickness that can be set in the post-processing machine. You can also add or delete post-processing machine specification settings screens as needed.

[0087] Display item 1303 is a control for setting the number of rolls; for example, in Figure 13A, it is set to 1 roll. Display item 1304 is a print preview screen that shows an image of the printed result with divider information pages added before and after the job, according to the print settings and the specifications of the post-processing machine. The border lines of the added divider information pages are dotted lines and are used as cutting criteria for sorting work.

[0088] Display item 1305 is a button that stores job data generated according to the layout information set by the user into the storage unit 25. By pressing display item 1305, the job data is stored in the storage unit 25.

[0089] The control unit 24 calculates the start and end pages for each roll based on the total print length, the print length per roll, the number of lanes, and the number of rolls, and generates a divider information page for each roll according to the divider length. If the divider length is specified as 0m, no divider information page is generated. In addition, the number of start and end pages for each roll, the print length, and roll number information are added to the divider information page as divider information.

[0090] The print length for each reel is calculated based on the following formula.

[0091] Total print length = transport direction object data length × total number of pages + object spacing × total number of pages <Case 1> When the number of reels and the number of lanes are the same, the print length per reel is calculated based on the following formula.

[0092] Print length per roll = Total print length ÷ Number of lanes <Case 2> If the number of volumes and the number of lanes are different, the print length and number of pages per volume are calculated based on the following formula.

[0093] Print length per roll = Total print length ÷ Number of lanes ÷ (Number of rolls ÷ Number of lanes) Number of pages per volume = Print length per volume ÷ (Transport direction object data length + Object spacing) Figure 13A shows an example of the layout settings screen when there is one roll of deliverables and one lane. As shown in Figure 13A, the objects are laid out with the width and length set to 120.0 mm and 120.0 mm respectively, the object spacing to 3 mm, the number of lanes to 1, and the output method to top output.

[0094] The total printed length, the printed length per volume, and the number of pages per volume are calculated as follows:

[0095] Total printed length = 120.0 × 1000 + 3 × 1000 = 123000 [mm] Print length per roll = 123000 ÷ 1 = 123000 [mm] (Since both the number of rolls and the number of lanes are 1, this corresponds to Case 1) Number of pages per volume = 123000 ÷ (120.0 + 3) = 1000 As shown in Figure 13A, since the number of rolls is 1, the output of the roll paper is considered to be 1 roll, and the image of 1 roll is displayed in display item 1304. 1 roll has pages 1 to 1000 and a print length of 123000 mm, and the images of the generated divider information pages added to the beginning and end of 1 roll are displayed in display item 1304.

[0096] Figure 13B shows an example of the layout settings screen when there are two rolls of deliverables and two lanes. As shown in Figure 13B, the objects are laid out with an object width of 130.0 mm and a length of 120.0 mm, an object spacing of 3 mm, two lanes, and an output method of top output.

[0097] The total printed length, the printed length per volume, and the number of pages per volume are calculated as follows:

[0098] Total printed length = 120.0 × 2000 + 3 × 2000 = 246000 [mm] Print length per roll = 246000 ÷ 2 = 123000 [mm] (Since both the number of rolls and the number of lanes are 2, this corresponds to Case 1) Number of pages per volume = 123000 ÷ (120.0 + 3) = 1000 As shown in Figure 13B, since there are two rolls, the output of the roll paper is considered to be two rolls, and the image of the two rolls is displayed in display item 1304. The first roll has pages 1 to 1000 and a print length of 123,000 mm, and divider information pages are generated and added to the beginning and end of the first roll. The second roll has pages 1001 to 2000 and a print length of 123,000 mm, and divider information pages are generated and added to the beginning and end of the second roll. The image of this is displayed in display item 1304.

[0099] Figure 13C shows an example of the layout settings screen when there are 4 rolls of deliverables and 2 lanes. As shown in Figure 13C, the objects are laid out with a width and length of 130.0 mm and 120.0 mm respectively, an object spacing of 3 mm, 2 lanes, and an output method of top output.

[0100] The total printed length, the printed length per volume, and the number of pages per volume are calculated as follows:

[0101] Total printed length = 120.0 × 4000 + 3 × 4000 = 492000 [mm] Print length per roll = 492000 ÷ 2 ÷ (4 ÷ 2) = 123000 [mm] (This corresponds to Case 2 as there are 4 rolls and 2 lanes) Number of pages per volume = 123000 ÷ (120.0 + 3) = 1000 As shown in Figure 13C, since there are 4 rolls, the output of the roll paper is considered to be 4 rolls, and an image of 4 rolls is displayed in display item 1304. Roll 1 has pages 1 to 1000 and a print length of 123,000 mm, and divider information pages are generated and added to the beginning and end of Roll 1. Roll 2 has pages 1001 to 2000 and a print length of 123,000 mm, and divider information pages are generated and added to the beginning and end of Roll 2. Roll 3 has pages 2001 to 3000 and a print length of 123,000 mm, and divider information pages are generated and added to the beginning and end of Roll 3. Roll 4 has pages 3001 to 4000 and a print length of 123,000 mm, and divider information pages are generated and added to the beginning and end of Roll 4. An image of this is displayed in display item 1304.

[0102] As shown in Figures 14A to 14D, display item 1306 is a control that calculates the optimal number of turns based on the specifications of the post-processing machine registered on the post-processing machine specification setting screen. By accepting the selection of display item 1306, the post-processing machine specification setting screen is displayed. If no post-processing machine is registered on the post-processing machine specification setting screen, the optimal number of turns is considered to be 1.

[0103] Figure 14A shows an example of the layout setting screen displayed when display item 1306 is selected in the post-processing machine specification setting screen of display item 1302, with post-processing machine 1 registered. As shown in Figure 14A, the maximum roll diameter of post-processing machine 1 is 280 mm, the maximum roll length is 300 m, the maximum roll weight is 7 kg, the paper core inner diameter is 76 mm, and the paper core thickness is 5 mm. An example of the process that calculates the optimal number of rolls according to the specifications of post-processing machine 1, which is executed when display item 1306 is selected, will be described later using Figure 15. When display item 1306 is selected, the optimal number of rolls according to the specifications of post-processing machine 1 is calculated, and the calculated optimal number of rolls is displayed in display item 1307. As shown in Figure 14A, the optimal number of rolls is 2. The objects are laid out with the width and length of the objects set to 120.0 mm and 120.0 mm respectively, the object spacing to 3 mm, the number of lanes to 1, and the output method to top output.

[0104] The total printed length, the printed length per volume, and the number of pages per volume are calculated as follows:

[0105] Total printed length = 120.0 × 4000 + 3 × 4000 = 492000 [mm] Print length per roll = 492000 ÷ 1 ÷ (2 ÷ 1) = 246000 [mm] (This corresponds to Case 2 as there are 2 rolls and 1 lane) Number of pages per volume = 246000 ÷ (120.0 + 3) = 2000 As shown in Figure 14A, since there are two rolls, the output of the roll paper is considered to be two rolls, and the image of the two rolls is displayed in display item 1304. The first roll has pages 1 to 2000 and a print length of 246,000 mm, and divider information pages are generated and added to the beginning and end of the first roll. The second roll has pages 2001 to 4000 and a print length of 246,000 mm, and divider information pages are generated and added to the beginning and end of the second roll. The image of this is displayed in display item 1304.

[0106] Figure 14B shows an example of the layout setting screen displayed when display item 1306 is selected in the post-processing machine specification setting screen of display item 1302, with post-processing machine 1 and post-processing machine 2 registered. The registered post-processing machine 1 has a maximum roll diameter of 280 mm, a maximum roll length of 350 m, a maximum roll weight of 7 kg, a paper core inner diameter of 76 mm, and a paper core thickness of 5 mm. The registered post-processing machine 2 has a maximum roll diameter of 200 mm, a maximum roll length of 300 m, a maximum roll weight of 3 kg, a paper core inner diameter of 76 mm, and a paper core thickness of 5 mm. An example of the process for calculating the optimal number of rolls according to the specifications of post-processing machine 1 and post-processing machine 2 when display item 1306 is selected will be described later using Figure 15. When display item 1306 is selected, the optimal number of rolls according to the specifications of post-processing machine 1 and post-processing machine 2 is calculated, and the calculated optimal number of rolls is displayed in display item 1307. As shown in Figure 14B, the optimal number of rolls is 4. The objects are laid out with a width of 130.0 mm and a length of 120.0 mm, an object spacing of 3 mm, 2 lanes, and an output method set to ceiling output.

[0107] The total printed length, the printed length per volume, and the number of pages per volume are calculated as follows:

[0108] Total printed length = 120.0 × 4000 + 3 × 4000 = 492000 [mm] Print length per roll = 492000 ÷ 2 ÷ (4 ÷ 2) = 123000 [mm] (This corresponds to Case 2 as there are 4 rolls and 2 lanes) Number of pages per volume = 123000 ÷ (120.0 + 3) = 1000 As shown in Figure 14B, since there are two rolls, the output of the roll paper is considered to be two rolls, and the image of the two rolls is displayed in display item 1304. Roll 1 has pages 1 to 1000 and a print length of 123,000 mm, and divider information pages are generated and added to the beginning and end of Roll 1. Roll 2 has pages 1001 to 2000 and a print length of 123,000 mm, and divider information pages are generated and added to the beginning and end of Roll 2. Roll 3 has pages 2001 to 3000 and a print length of 123,000 mm, and divider information pages are generated and added to the beginning and end of Roll 3. Roll 4 has pages 3001 to 4000 and a print length of 123,000 mm, and divider information pages are generated and added to the beginning and end of Roll 4. The image of this is displayed in display item 1304.

[0109] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the process for calculating the optimal number of turns, which is performed in the control unit 24. The process in Figure 15 is realized, for example, when the CPU of the control unit 24 executes a system program stored in the memory unit 35. The process in Figure 15 is started when display item 1306 is selected.

[0110] In S1501, the control unit 24 calculates the total print length based on object data and print settings. In the case of Figures 14A and 14B, the total print length is calculated as follows.

[0111] Total printed length = 120.0 × 4000 + 3 × 4000 = 492000 [mm] In S1502, the control unit 24 determines whether or not to perform the optimal number of turns calculation process based on whether or not there is information on the specifications of the post-processing machine registered in the display item 1302. If it is determined that there is no information on the specifications of the post-processing machine registered, the process proceeds to S1509. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is information on the specifications of the post-processing machine registered, the process proceeds to S1503.

[0112] In S1503, the control unit 24 calculates the maximum roll length from the maximum roll diameter based on the registered specifications of the post-processing machine 1. Hereinafter, the maximum roll length derived from the maximum roll diameter will be referred to as the first maximum roll length. Based on the formula shown in Figure 6, the first maximum roll length is calculated when the inner diameter of the paper core is 76 mm, the thickness of the paper core is 5 mm, and the roll paper thickness is 80 μm. In the case of Figure 14A, the first maximum roll length of the post-processing machine 1 is calculated as follows.

[0113] In other words, given a core inner diameter of 76 mm and a core thickness of 5 mm, the core radius and core cross-sectional area can be calculated as follows.

[0114] Paper tube radius=(76+5×2)÷2=43[mm] Paper tube cross-sectional area=43×43×3.14=5806[mm 2 ] On the other hand, given the specifications of post-processing machine 1, which specify a maximum roll diameter of 280 mm, the roll paper radius is 140 mm, and the roll paper cross-sectional area is calculated as follows.

[0115] Roll paper cross-sectional area = 140 × 140 × 3.14 = 61544 [mm²] 2 ] Then, the area obtained by subtracting the cross-sectional area of ​​the paper tube from the cross-sectional area of ​​the roll paper is 61544 - 5806 = 55738 [mm²]. 2 ] As a result, the first maximum roll length of the post-processing machine 1 is calculated as follows.

[0116] The first maximum roll length of post-processing machine 1 = 55738 [mm] 2 ]÷80[μm]=696727[mm] In S1504, the control unit 24 calculates the maximum roll length from the maximum roll weight based on the registered specifications of the post-processing machine 1. Hereinafter, the maximum roll length derived from the maximum roll weight will be referred to as the second maximum roll length. The second maximum roll length is calculated as follows.

[0117] Second maximum roll length = maximum roll weight ÷ roll paper width ÷ basis weight In the case of post-processing machine 1 shown in Figure 14A, the maximum roll weight is 7 kg, the roll paper width is 130 mm, and the basis weight is 81 g / m². 2 Therefore, the second maximum roll length for the post-processing machine 1 is calculated as follows.

[0118] The second maximum roll length of post-processing machine 1 = 664768 mm In S1505, the control unit 24 compares the registered maximum roll length of the post-processing machine with the first maximum roll length and the second maximum roll length for the post-processing machine to find the minimum value. If any of the maximum roll length, the first maximum roll length, or the second maximum roll length is 0, it is excluded from the comparison. Also, if the maximum roll length, the first maximum roll length, and the second maximum roll length are all 0, the total print length is set as the minimum value. The control unit 24 then sets the minimum value obtained in this way as the optimal roll length for the post-processing machine currently under consideration. In other words, the optimal roll length is the one with the smallest value among the multiple candidates obtained from each specification.

[0119] In the case of post-processing machine 1 shown in Figure 14A, the registered maximum roll length of post-processing machine 1 is 350,000 mm, the first maximum roll length is 696,727 mm, and the second maximum roll length is 664,768 mm. Therefore, the optimal roll length for post-processing machine 1 is determined to be 350,000 mm.

[0120] In S1506, the control unit 24 compares the minimum value with the optimal roll length of other post-processing machines that have already been determined, and sets it as the optimal roll length for the system.

[0121] In S1507, the control unit 24 determines whether or not to perform the optimal number of turns calculation process based on the presence or absence of information on the specifications of other registered post-processing machines displayed in the display item 1302. If it is determined that there is no information on the specifications of other registered post-processing machines, the process proceeds to S1508. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is information on the specifications of other registered post-processing machines, the process from S1503 is repeated.

[0122] For example, the case where it is determined that there is information on the specification settings of the post-processing machine 2 in FIG. 14B will be described. For the post-processing machine 2, the same processing as in S1503 to S1505 is performed. As a result, the first maximum roll length and the second maximum roll length for the post-processing machine 2 are calculated as follows.

[0123] Since the maximum roll diameter of the post-processing machine 2 is 200 mm, the radius of the roll paper is 100 mm, and the cross-sectional area of the roll paper is calculated as follows.

[0124] Roll paper cross-sectional area = 100×100×3.14 = 31400 [mm 2 And the area obtained by subtracting the cross-sectional area of the paper tube from the cross-sectional area of the roll paper is 31400 - 5806 = 25594 [mm 2 . As a result, the first maximum roll length of the post-processing machine 2 is calculated as follows.

[0125] First maximum roll length of post-processing machine 2 = 25594 [mm 2 ÷80 [μm] = 319927 [mm] Also, the second maximum roll length of the post-processing machine 2 is calculated from the maximum roll weight of 3 kg, the roll paper width of 280 mm, and the basis weight of 81 g / m 2 as follows for the second maximum roll length of the post-processing machine 1.

[0126] Second maximum roll length of post-processing machine 2 = 132276 mm In the case of the post-processing machine 2, the registered maximum roll length of the post-processing machine 2 is 300000 mm, the first maximum roll length is 319927 mm, and the second maximum roll length is 132276 mm. Therefore, the optimum roll length of the post-processing machine 2 is obtained as 132276 mm.

[0127] ​If the processing of S1503-S1506 for the specification setting information of post-processing machine 1 is performed after the processing of S1503-S1506 for the specification setting information of post-processing machine 2, a comparison is made between the optimal roll length of post-processing machine 2 and the optimal roll length of post-processing machine 1. The smaller of these two values ​​is then determined as the optimal roll length for the system. In this example, in S1506, the optimal roll length for post-processing machine 2, which is 132276 mm, is determined as the optimal roll length for the system.

[0128] In S1508, the control unit 24 calculates the optimal number of turns based on the optimal roll length determined in S1506.

[0129] For example, if the optimal roll length is determined to be 132276 mm in S1506, the control unit 24 divides the total printing length by the optimal roll length and rounds up the result to determine the optimal number of turns, as shown in the following formula.

[0130] Optimal number of turns = 492000 ÷ 132276 = 4 For example, if the optimal number of turns for the system is determined to be the optimal roll length of post-processing machine 1, which is 350,000 mm (for example, if the specifications for post-processing machine 2 are not registered), the optimal number of turns will be calculated as follows.

[0131] Optimal number of turns = 492000 ÷ 350000 = 2 In S1508, the control unit 24 sets the optimal number of turns calculated as described above to the display item 1307, and then terminates the process shown in Figure 15.

[0132] If it is determined in S1502 that there is no information regarding the specifications of the registered post-processing machine, in S1509 the control unit 24 determines the optimal number of turns to be 1, sets that optimal number of turns to display item 1307, and then terminates the process shown in Figure 15.

[0133] As described above, according to this embodiment, when generating partition information according to the layout, the optimal number of rolls to be delivered can be calculated according to the specifications of the post-processing machine.

[0134] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0135] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0136] 1 Image forming system: 10 Feeding device: 20 Image forming apparatus: 30 Winding device: 24 Control unit: 25 Storage unit: 26 Operation display unit

Claims

1. A setting means for setting partition areas between images in a series of images printed as the roll-shaped recording medium is fed from a feeding device, which contains the roll-shaped recording medium, in order to divide the roll-shaped recording medium into multiple rolls. The system includes a printing means for printing the image group, in which the partition area set by the setting means is reflected, onto the recording medium supplied from the feeding device, The setting means obtains the number of rolls based on the specifications of the post-processing machine that performs post-processing on the roll-shaped recording medium printed by the printing means and the print information of the image group, and sets the partition area from the obtained number of rolls. The aforementioned specification information includes the inner diameter of the tube that forms the core of the roll-shaped recording medium, the thickness of the tube, the maximum roll diameter, the maximum roll weight, and the maximum roll length. The print information includes the total print length of the image group, which is obtained based on the number of pages, the size of the images, and the spacing between the images. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the setting means obtains candidate roll lengths from the maximum roll diameter and the maximum roll weight, obtains a candidate that satisfies the conditions from among the obtained candidates and the maximum roll length as the roll length, and obtains the number of turns by dividing the total printing length by the obtained roll length.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the aforementioned condition is the shortest among the candidates obtained.

4. The system further includes a display means for displaying a first screen containing a list of jobs, The setting means sets the partition area within the group of images specified by the job selected from the list. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. When the first instruction is received on the first screen, the display means further displays a second screen capable of receiving the print information. The setting means sets the partition area within the group of images based on the print information received on the second screen. The image forming apparatus according to feature 4.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the setting of the partition area by the setting means is performed by receiving instructions on the second screen.

7. Upon receiving the second instruction on the first screen, the display means further displays a third screen capable of receiving information including at least one of the number of pages and the number of copies to be printed. The setting means sets the partition area within the group of images specified by the job selected from the list, based on the information including at least one of the number of pages and the number of copies received on the third screen and the number of volumes. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the display means displays information including at least one of the number of pages and the number of copies to be printed, along with information including at least one of the print length, print weight, and roll paper diameter.

9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the printing means prints the partition area.

10. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the group of images is a group of labels.

11. A method performed in an image forming apparatus, A setting step of setting partition areas between images in a series of images printed as the roll-shaped recording medium is fed from a feeding device, in order to divide the roll-shaped recording medium into multiple rolls, The process includes printing the image group, in which the partition area set in the setting step is reflected, onto the recording medium fed from the feeding device, In the setting step, the number of rolls is obtained based on the specifications of the post-processing machine that performs post-processing on the roll-shaped recording medium on which printing was performed in the printing step and the printing information of the image group, and the partition area is set from the obtained number of rolls, The aforementioned specification information includes the inner diameter of the tube that forms the core of the roll-shaped recording medium, the thickness of the tube, the maximum roll diameter, the maximum roll weight, and the maximum roll length. The print information includes the total print length of the image group, which is obtained based on the number of pages, the size of the images, and the spacing between the images. A method characterized by the following:

Images