Image forming system

Abstract

To provide an image forming system capable of adjusting image intervals within the same job.SOLUTION: An image forming system comprises: an image forming unit that forms images on consecutive recording materials based on an image forming job; and a control unit that accepts settings for intervals between multiple images to be formed on the recording materials in the image forming job, and controls image forming operation of the image forming unit on the basis of the set intervals.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system for forming images on continuous paper.

Background Art

[0002] As an image forming system for forming images on a recording material such as roll paper, a label printing system is known. In the post-process after the printing process, in the label printing system, in order to cut out the portions where a plurality of label images on the roll paper are formed, a die-cutting die having a pre-prepared die-cutting blade performs die-cutting processing for each image (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Normally, in an image forming apparatus, the interval between images formed on a recording material is fixed. Therefore, in accordance with the formed image interval, it is necessary to prepare a die of the same interval for image die-cutting. Thus, the interval of the cutting-out area set in the image die-cutting apparatus is also fixed by the die for image die-cutting.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when performing die-cutting processing of images, there may be a plurality of image die-cutting apparatuses. In this case, if different image intervals are prepared in each image die-cutting apparatus according to the die for image die-cutting, for example, an image interval that is suitable for image die-cutting apparatus A may not be suitable for another image die-cutting apparatus B. In the image forming system described in Patent Document 1 above, the image spacing between different jobs is controlled in multiple jobs using an image die for die-cutting. However, within the same job, the spacing between images formed on the recording material cannot be controlled. As a result, when performing image die-cutting, the available image die-cutting equipment is limited, or it becomes necessary to prepare a separate image die according to the image spacing, leading to decreased productivity and increased costs.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an image forming system that can adjust the image interval within the same job. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The image forming system of the present invention comprises an image forming unit that forms images on a continuous recording material based on an image forming job, and a control unit that receives a setting for the interval between a plurality of images formed on the recording material in an image forming job, and controls the image forming operation of the image forming unit based on the set interval. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming system that can adjust the image interval within the same job. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of an image die-cutting device. [Figure 2] This is a side view of the die-cutting roller section of an image die-cutting machine. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of an image forming system. [Figure 4] This is a system block diagram of an image forming system. [Figure 5] This is a functional block diagram of the control unit of the image forming system. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart for setting the image interval in the memory unit's settings screen. [Figure 7]This is an example of the memory unit settings screen. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart for setting the image interval in the image formation conditions settings screen. [Figure 9] This is an example of a screen for setting image formation conditions. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following describes examples of embodiments for carrying out the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. The explanation will be given in the following order. 1. Overview of the image die-cutting device 2. Image Forming System

[0011] <1. Overview of the image die-cutting device> Prior to describing the image forming system of this embodiment, an overview of the image die-cutting apparatus will be given. Figures 1 and 2 show a schematic configuration of an image die-cutting apparatus that performs general die-cutting. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the image die-cutting apparatus. Figure 2 is a side view of the die-cutting roller portion of the image die-cutting apparatus.

[0012] In the image die-cutting device 30, a roll of paper R is set as the recording material on which the label image is formed. The roll of paper R is set in the paper feeding section as a paper feed roll R1 in a wound state. The front end of the roll of paper R set as a paper feed roll R1 is fixed to a take-up roller of a take-up device (not shown). Then, the roll of paper R is wound up by the take-up roller as an output roll R2.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, a label image is formed on the roll paper R based on image formation job 1 (J1 in the figure). On the roll paper R, circular label images 33 are repeatedly printed in the feed direction within the image formation area (dash-dotted line) of job 1. The label images 33 are formed at equal intervals along the transport direction.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, above the roll paper R, a die-cutting roller 31 composed of a magnet cylinder or the like is arranged. A die-cutting blade 32 provided with a blade at a position corresponding to the shape of the product is attached to the die-cutting roller 31. Further, an opposing roller 34 composed of an anvil roller or the like is arranged at a position facing the die-cutting roller 31 through the roll paper R. When the label image to be processed formed on the roll paper R is sent, the die-cutting blade 32 of the die-cutting roller 31 is pressed against the roll paper R in accordance with the image position and timing. Thereby, the recording material corresponding to the shape of the label image is cut out.

[0015] 〈2. Image Forming System〉 Next, an embodiment of the image forming system will be described. FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the image forming system. The image forming system 1 shown in FIG. 3 uses a roll-shaped recording material S, which is continuous paper, as the recording material, and forms an image on this recording material S. The image forming system 1 includes a paper feeding device 10, an image forming device 40, and a recovery device 60 in this order from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording material S. The image forming system 1 includes a supply adjustment unit 20 between the paper feeding device 10 and the image forming device 40, and a recovery adjustment unit 50 between the image forming device 40 and the recovery device 60.

[0016] The paper feeding device 10 includes a paper feeding unit including a support shaft 11 that rotatably holds the recording material S wound in a roll shape, and a conveyance unit 14 that conveys the recording material S wound around the support shaft 11 to the supply adjustment unit 20 at a constant speed by a plurality of rollers. Note that the shape of the recording material S is not limited to a roll-shaped continuous paper. The recording material S can be applied as, for example, a foldable shape or a long paper shape as the recording material S. Further, the paper feeding device 10 is an example of a recording material supply device that supplies the recording material to the image forming device 40.

[0017] The supply adjustment unit 20 transports the recording material S conveyed from the paper feed device 10 to the image forming unit 46 of the image forming apparatus 40. In order to absorb the speed difference between the paper feeding and transport speed of the recording material S from the paper feed device 10 and the transport speed of the recording material S in the image forming unit 46, the supply adjustment unit 20 holds the recording material S loosely and adjusts the paper feeding of the recording material S to the image forming unit 46.

[0018] The image forming apparatus 40 includes a control unit 41, an operation display unit 42, a scanner unit 43, a transport unit 44, an image processing unit 45, an image forming unit 46, and a fixing unit 47, etc. The image forming apparatus 40 may also include the above-mentioned paper feeding device 10 as a recording material supply unit within the apparatus.

[0019] The control unit 41 provides overall control over the configurations of the image forming system 1 and the image forming apparatus 40. The image processing unit 45 processes the image data input from the scanner unit 43 and the control unit 41 and outputs it to the image forming unit 46. Details of the configurations of the control unit 41 and the image processing unit 45 will be described later.

[0020] The operation display unit 42 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays various operation buttons, device status, and the operating status of each function on the display screen according to the instructions of the display signals input from the control unit 41. The LCD display screen is covered with a pressure-sensitive (resistive film pressure) touch panel composed of transparent electrodes arranged in a grid, which detects the XY coordinates of the point of force applied by a finger or stylus as a voltage value, and outputs the detected position signal as an operation signal to the control unit 41. The operation display unit 42 is also equipped with various operation buttons such as number buttons and a start button, and outputs operation signals from button operation to the control unit 41.

[0021] The scanner unit 43 scans the surface of the document placed on the document glass with a light source, receives the reflected light from the document surface, converts the received reflected light into photoelectric data using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) to generate image data, and outputs it to the image processing unit 45 (Figure 4).

[0022] The image forming unit 46 forms images on the recording material S transported from the supply adjustment unit 20 using an electrophotographic method, based on the image data of each page input from the image processing unit 45. The image forming unit 46 is provided with a recording material transport path in which a transport belt, transport rollers such as resist rollers, and motors (not shown) that drive them are arranged, and forms images on the recording material S while transporting it according to the control unit 41.

[0023] The image forming unit 46 includes four sets of exposure units 461 corresponding to the Y, M, C, and K color components, a photoreceptor 462, a developing unit 463, a primary transfer roller 464, an intermediate transfer belt 465, and a secondary transfer roller 466. The four sets of exposure units 461, photoreceptors 462, developing units 463, and primary transfer roller 464 corresponding to each color component are arranged from upstream in the order of Y, M, C, and K.

[0024] The exposure unit 461 consists of a laser light source, a polygon motor, a polygon mirror, and multiple lenses. Based on the recording material transport speed, the exposure unit 461 irradiates the charged photoreceptor 462 with laser light from the laser light source and the polygon mirror to expose it and form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 462. The developing unit 463 supplies toner of a predetermined color (Y, M, C, or K) onto the exposed photoreceptor 462 to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 462. The primary transfer roller 464 is positioned opposite the photoreceptor 462. The primary transfer roller 464 is subjected to a primary transfer bias opposite to that of the toner, and presses a predetermined position on the intermediate transfer belt 465 against the photoreceptor 462, thereby transferring (primary transfer) the toner image formed on the photoreceptor 462 to the intermediate transfer belt 465. As the Y, M, C, and K primary transfer rollers 464 sequentially press predetermined positions on the intermediate transfer belt 465 against the photoreceptor 462, a color toner image with layers of each color superimposed is written onto the intermediate transfer belt 465.

[0025] The intermediate transfer belt 465 is a semiconductive endless belt suspended and rotatably supported by multiple rollers. It rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rollers, transporting the written toner image to the secondary transfer roller 466. The secondary transfer roller 466 is subjected to a bias opposite to that of the toner, and by gripping and transporting the transported recording material S, it transfers the color toner image written on the intermediate transfer belt 465 to the recording material S (secondary transfer).

[0026] The fixing unit 47 heats and pressurizes the toner image transferred to the recording material S, fixing the toner image to the recording material S. The fixing unit 47 includes a fixing roller 471 with a built-in halogen heater, etc., and a pressure roller 472 positioned opposite the fixing roller 471 across the recording material transport path, acting as a pressurizing member that presses against the fixing roller 471. The fixing unit 47 also includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the fixing roller 471. In the nip portion formed between the fixing roller 471 and the pressure roller 472, the fixing unit 47 holds and transports the recording material S on which the toner image has been transferred, while heating and pressurizing the toner image on the recording material S to fix it. Furthermore, the fixing unit 47 has a position changing mechanism (not shown) that adjusts the position of the fixing roller 471 in order to adjust the nip pressure of the nip portion between the fixing roller 471 and the pressure roller 472, and to release the pressure contact.

[0027] The retrieval adjustment unit 50 is installed downstream of the image forming apparatus 40 and upstream of the retrieval device 60 in the transport direction of the recording material S. The retrieval adjustment unit 50 is a device that transports the recording material S transported from the image forming apparatus 40 to the retrieval device 60, and in order to absorb the speed difference between the transport speed of the recording material S in the image forming apparatus 40 and the transport speed of the recording material S in the retrieval device 60, it holds the recording material S loosely and adjusts the discharge of the recording material S from the image forming apparatus 40. The recovery device 60 includes a paper discharge section that winds up the recording material S, which has been transported from the recovery adjustment section 50, at a constant speed via a support shaft 61 through a plurality of rollers.

[0028] [System Configuration] Next, Figure 4 shows a system block diagram of the configuration of the image forming system 1. Note that in the following explanation, components that overlap with the description of the image forming system 1 shown in Figure 3 above will be omitted. As shown in Figure 4, the image forming apparatus 40 comprises a control unit 41, an operation display unit 42, a transport unit 44, an image processing unit 45, an image forming unit 46, a fixing unit 47, a storage unit 48, and a communication unit 49. The paper feeding device 10 comprises a control unit 12, a communication unit 13, a transport unit 14, and a storage unit 15.

[0029] The control unit 12 of the paper feed device 10 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. (not shown). The CPU of the control unit 12 reads various processing programs stored in ROM and loads them into RAM, and comprehensively controls the operation of each part of the paper feed device 10, such as the communication unit 13, transport unit 14, and storage unit 15, which are connected via the system bus (not shown) of the paper feed device 10, according to the loaded programs. The memory unit 15 stores programs and other data executed by the control unit 12, and is also used as a workspace for the control unit 12. The communication unit 13 transmits and receives data with the communication unit 49 of the image forming apparatus 40, which constitutes the image forming system 1. The communication unit 13 also transmits and receives data with the communication units of other devices, such as the supply adjustment unit 20, the recovery adjustment unit 50, and the recovery device 60 (not shown), via the communication unit 49 of the image forming apparatus 40. The transport unit 14 feeds and transports the recording material S stored in the paper feed device 10 and supplies it to the image forming apparatus 40. The recovery device 60 can also have the same configuration as the paper feed device 10 described above.

[0030] The control unit 41 of the image forming apparatus 40 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. (not shown). The CPU of the control unit 41 reads various processing programs stored in ROM and loads them into RAM, and comprehensively controls the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 40, such as the operation display unit 42, transport unit 44, image processing unit 45, image forming unit 46, fixing unit 47, storage unit 48, and communication unit 49, which are connected via the system bus of the image forming apparatus 40, according to the loaded programs. Furthermore, the control unit 41 controls the paper feeder 10 and the paper collection device 60 via the communication unit 49.

[0031] The memory unit 48 is composed of non-volatile memory such as EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) and flash memory. The memory unit 48 stores programs executed by the control unit 41 and is also used as a workspace for the control unit 41. The memory unit 48 also stores image formation conditions set in the image formation job, as well as recording material information including the size and type of recording material S. Furthermore, the image formation conditions stored in the memory unit 48 include, for example, execution conditions in the image formation unit 46, including the interval between images continuously formed on the recording material S, and execution conditions in the fixing unit 47.

[0032] The communication unit 49 of the image forming apparatus 40 transmits and receives data with the communication unit 13 of the paper feed device 10. The communication unit 49 also transmits and receives data with the communication units of the supply adjustment unit 20, the collection adjustment unit 50, and the collection device 60, etc. (not shown).

[0033] The image processing unit 45 acquires image data from the input job information and performs image processing. Under the control of the control unit 41, the image processing unit 45 performs image processing on the acquired image data as needed, such as shading correction, image density adjustment, and image compression. The image data processed by the image processing unit 45 is then transmitted to the image forming unit 46. The transport unit 44 transports the recording material S fed from the paper feed device 10 to the image forming unit 46, the fixing unit 47, etc., based on the control of the control unit 41. The image forming unit 46 receives image data processed by the image processing unit 45, and based on this image data, forms an image on the recording material S that has been transported to the image forming unit 46 by the transport unit 44.

[0034] The operation display unit 42 has a display unit consisting of a display such as a liquid crystal display device, and an operation unit consisting of a touch panel and multiple keys superimposed on this display. This operation display unit 42 is an example of a display unit and an operation unit, and displays instruction menus for the user and information related to acquired image data. Furthermore, the operation display unit 42 accepts input of various instructions, characters, numbers and other data from the user's operation and outputs input signals to the control unit 41.

[0035] [Configuration of the control unit] Next, the functional configurations of the control unit 12 of the paper feed device 10 and the control unit 41 of the image forming apparatus 40 of the image forming system 1 described above will be explained. Figure 5 shows a functional block diagram of the control unit 12 of the paper feed device 10 and the control unit 41 of the image forming apparatus 40.

[0036] The control unit 12 of the paper feed device 10 comprises a communication control unit 121 and a transport control unit 122. The control unit of the retrieval device 60 can be configured in the same way as the control unit 12 of the paper feed device 10. The control unit 41 of the image forming apparatus 40 includes a communication control unit 411, a transport control unit 412, an image forming control unit 413, a display control unit 414, an operation control unit 415, and a condition management unit 416.

[0037] The communication control unit 121 of the control unit 12 of the paper feed device 10 controls the transmission and reception of data via the communication unit 13 (Figure 4) of the paper feed device 10. The communication control unit 411 of the control unit 41 of the image forming apparatus 40 controls the transmission and reception of data via the communication unit 49 (Figure 4) of the image forming apparatus 40. The control unit 12 of the paper feed device 10 and the control unit 41 of the image forming apparatus 40 control communication with each other via the communication units 13 and 49 of each device, respectively, via the communication control units 121 and 411.

[0038] The transport control unit 122 of the control unit 12 of the paper feed device 10 controls the drive of the transport unit 14 of the paper feed device 10, thereby adjusting the transport speed of the recording material S and controlling the start and stop of the transport of the recording material S.

[0039] The transport control unit 412 controls the drive of the transport unit 44 of the image forming apparatus 40, thereby adjusting the transport speed of the recording material S and controlling the start and stop of the transport of the recording material S. For example, the transport control unit 412 controls the transport speed of the recording material S and controls the start and stop of the transport of the recording material S. This transport control is performed in conjunction with the transport control in the paper feeder 10 and the retrieval device 60.

[0040] The image forming control unit 413 controls the image forming operation in the image forming section 46 of the image forming apparatus 40. The image forming control unit 97 obtains image forming conditions from data stored in the storage unit 48, etc. For example, the image forming control unit 413 obtains the image interval value stored in the storage unit 48. Then, the image forming control unit 413 sets operating conditions for each component of the image forming section 46 based on the data obtained from the storage unit 48, etc. Furthermore, the image forming control unit 413 sets operating conditions for each component of the image forming section 46 according to the image forming conditions input by the user, etc. via the operation display unit 42, for example, the image interval value. Then, the image forming control unit 413 controls the operation of each component of the image forming section 46 according to the set operating conditions to form an image on the recording material S based on the image data. In this way, the image forming control unit 413 repeatedly forms multiple images at equal intervals on the recording material S using the set image interval value.

[0041] The display control unit 414 controls the display operation of the operation display unit 42 of the image forming apparatus 40. The display control unit 414 displays predetermined information on the display unit of the operation display unit 42 by transmitting predetermined display signals to the display unit of the operation display unit 42. For example, the display control unit 414 causes the operation display unit 42 to display the image forming condition setting screen read from the storage unit 48 by the condition management unit 416. The display control unit 414 displays multiple configurable image interval values ​​corresponding to the image die-cutting device on the operation display unit 42, and presents selectable information to the user who has entered the image forming job.

[0042] The operation control unit 415 accepts input operations from the user via the operation display unit 42. For example, it accepts the selection and input of setting condition items from the user on the setting screen displayed on the operation display unit 42.

[0043] The condition management unit 416 manages the image formation conditions in an image formation job, for example, the execution conditions entered as a job, the conditions set by the user, and various image formation conditions and history stored in the storage unit 48. The condition management unit 416 then sets the image formation conditions for the job based on the setting conditions entered by the user and various items of the image formation conditions stored in the storage unit 48. For example, the condition management unit 416 accepts the setting of the image interval in an image formation job. The condition management unit 416 then sets the intervals between images repeatedly formed on the recording material S to be equal using the image interval set in the image formation conditions. Furthermore, the condition management unit 416 displays various conditions and setting items, such as image formation conditions, stored in the storage unit 48, on the operation display unit 42 via the display control unit 414. It also receives operations such as inputting, changing, and adding setting items by the user via the operation control unit 415. The contents of the items and values ​​operated by the user are then stored in the storage unit 48.

[0044] [Setting the image interval (1)] Next, the process for setting the image interval in the image forming system 1 will be explained. Figure 6 shows a flowchart for setting the image interval. Note that the flowchart in Figure 6 explains an example of setting the image interval on the setting screen of the storage unit 48.

[0045] First, the condition management unit 416 reads a predetermined image interval from the storage unit 48 and sets the image formation conditions using the read image interval (step S1). This process is performed, for example, when an image formation job is input to the image formation system 1. The condition management unit 416 reads various setting conditions corresponding to the image formation job from the storage unit 48 and sets the image formation conditions in the image formation system 1. At this time, the condition management unit 416 sets the image interval as one of the items of the image formation conditions.

[0046] Next, the condition management unit 416 determines whether the setting screen of the storage unit 48 has been selected by the user or the like (step S2). For example, when the user or the like operates the operation display unit 42 manually, the operation control unit 415 receives this operation. The condition management unit 416 receives a signal from the operation control unit 415 and detects that the setting screen of the storage unit 48 has been selected. The display control unit 414 then displays the setting screen read from the storage unit 48 by the condition management unit 416 on the operation display unit 42. An example of the setting screen of the storage unit 48 is shown in Figure 7. The setting screen shown in Figure 7 shows the address of the storage unit 48, up and down selection buttons, and soft keys such as a numeric keypad.

[0047] If the settings screen is selected (Yes in step S2), the condition management unit 416 determines whether the image interval setting has been changed on the settings screen of the storage unit 48 (step S3). In this process, the operation control unit 415 receives manual input operations from the user or others on the settings screen displayed on the operation display unit 42. The condition management unit 416 then determines whether the operation by the user or others received by the operation control unit 415 is a change in the image interval setting stored in the storage unit 48. For example, on the settings screen of the storage unit 48 shown in Figure 7, the user or others set the address of the storage unit of the image forming apparatus 40 using soft keys such as up and down selection buttons or a numeric keypad. Then, they select ON (1) or OFF (0) for the set address value.

[0048] If the image interval setting stored in the memory unit 48 is changed (Yes in step S3), the condition management unit 416 stores the changed image interval in the memory unit 48 and sets the image formation conditions using this image interval (step S4). If the settings screen is not selected (No. in step S2), if the image interval setting stored in the memory unit 48 is not changed (No. in step S3), or after setting the image formation conditions, the process according to this flowchart is terminated.

[0049] [Setting the image interval (2)] Next, Figure 8 shows a flowchart illustrating an example of setting the image interval in the image formation system 1, specifically on the image formation conditions setting screen.

[0050] First, the condition management unit 416 reads a predetermined image interval from the storage unit 48 and sets the image formation conditions using the read image interval (step S10). This process is the same as step S1 in the flowchart shown in Figure 6 above.

[0051] Next, the condition management unit 416 determines whether the image formation condition setting screen has been selected by the user or the like (step S11). For example, when the user or the like operates the operation display unit 42 manually, the operation control unit 415 receives this operation. The condition management unit 416 receives a signal from the operation control unit 415 and detects that the image formation condition setting screen for the image formation job has been selected. The display control unit 414 then displays the image formation condition setting screen, which the condition management unit 416 has read from the storage unit 48, on the operation display unit 42. The setting screen presents various setting items and multiple values ​​that can be set for each item, which are stored in the storage unit 48 in advance. For example, the condition management unit 416 displays multiple values ​​that can be set as image intervals in advance on the setting screen via the display control unit 414. An example of the image formation condition setting screen is shown in Figure 9. The setting screen shown in Figure 9 is an example of a screen for setting the image interval as an image formation condition, and displays selectable image interval settings and soft keys for adding image interval settings.

[0052] If the image formation conditions setting screen is selected (Yes in step S11), the condition management unit 416 determines whether the image interval setting has been changed on the image interval setting screen (step S12). In this process, the operation control unit 415 receives manual operations from the user or others on the setting screen displayed on the operation display unit 42. The condition management unit 416 then determines whether the image formation conditions have been changed based on the operations from the user or others received by the operation control unit 415. For example, on the image interval setting screen shown in Figure 9, the condition management unit 416 determines whether the user or others have selected a soft key for an image interval of 1.0 mm or an image interval of 0.3 mm. If the user or others have selected to change the image formation conditions, the condition management unit 416 accepts this change operation and sets the image formation conditions with the changed image interval value.

[0053] If the image interval setting has not been changed (No. in step S12), the condition management unit 416 determines whether "Add Image Interval Setting" has been selected on the image interval setting screen (step S13). In this process, the operation control unit 415 receives operations from the user on the setting screen displayed on the operation display unit 42. The condition management unit 416 then determines whether the operation received by the operation control unit 415 is an operation to add an image interval setting. For example, on the image interval setting screen shown in Figure 9, it determines whether the soft key for "Add Image Interval Setting" has been selected.

[0054] If the option to add an image interval setting is selected (Yes in step S13), the condition management unit 416 stores the added image interval setting in the storage unit 48 (step S14). In this process, the condition management unit 416 receives the user's selection to add an image interval setting and reads a new value addition screen from the storage unit 48 as the image interval setting screen. The display control unit 414 then displays the new value addition screen read by the condition management unit 416 on the operation display unit 42. Then, on the new value setting screen for the image interval, the operation control unit 415 receives the input of the image interval value from the user on the operation display unit 42 and outputs it to the condition management unit 416. The condition management unit 416 adds the new value received from the operation control unit 415 as an image formation condition for the image interval and stores it in the storage unit 48.

[0055] If the image formation conditions setting screen is not selected (No. in step S11), if the image interval setting is changed (Yes in step S12), if adding an image interval setting is not selected (No. in step S13), or after an image interval setting has been added, the condition management unit 416 sets the image formation conditions with the set or changed image interval (step S15). After setting the image interval for image formation conditions, the process according to this flowchart is terminated.

[0056] According to the above process, when executing an image forming job in the image forming system 1, the image interval can be set to an arbitrary value by setting the image forming conditions stored in the memory unit 48, or by setting the image forming conditions that can be set by the user. Therefore, the image interval can be adjusted within the same job. As a result, the image die-cutting device can set an arbitrary image interval according to the die used for image die-cutting, thereby suppressing a decrease in productivity and an increase in costs due to limitations of the image die-cutting device or the die used for image die-cutting.

[0057] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the configuration of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 1 Image forming system, 10 Paper feeder, 11, 61 Support shaft, 12, 41 Control unit, 13, 49 Communication unit, 14, 44 Transport unit, 15, 48 Storage unit, 20 Supply adjustment unit, 30 Image die-cutting device, 31 Die-cutting roller, 32 Die-cutting blade, 33 Label image, 34 Opposing roller, 40 Image forming apparatus, 42 Operation display unit, 43 Scanner unit, 45 Image processing unit, 46 Image forming unit, 47 Fixing unit, 50 Recovery adjustment unit, 60 Recovery device, 97, 413 Image forming control unit, 121, 411 Communication control unit, 122, 412 Transport control unit, 414 Display control unit, 415 Operation control unit, 416 Condition management unit, 461 Exposure unit, 462 Photoreceptor, 463 Developing unit, 464 Primary transfer roller, 465 Intermediate transfer belt, 466 Secondary transfer roller, 471 Fixing roller, 472 Pressure roller, R1 Paper feed roll, R2 Output roll

Claims

1. An image forming unit that forms an image on a continuous recording material based on an image forming job, The image forming job includes a control unit that receives the setting of the interval between multiple images formed on the recording material and controls the image forming operation of the image forming unit based on the set interval, A display unit that displays a settings screen based on the control of the control unit, It includes an operation unit that receives input from the user and outputs it to the control unit, The control unit, The system displays the configurable image intervals corresponding to the image die-cutting device as multiple values ​​on the setting screen and presents them to the user; accepts the user's operation to set the image interval; accepts the user's selection of a value to set the image interval; and controls the image forming operation based on the accepted image interval. Image forming system.

2. The control unit, The intervals between the multiple images formed on the recording material are set to be equal intervals. The image forming system according to claim 1.

3. The system includes a storage unit for storing the aforementioned plurality of values. The image forming system according to claim 1.

4. The control unit, The system accepts the addition of new values ​​by the user to the image interval values ​​stored in the storage unit. The image forming system according to claim 3.

Images